Well finally I got my book published. Words cannot describe that feeling of accomplishment and I would be lying if I said that at any stage it was easy. But if I can do it, so can you.
Whilst just surfing the web for ideas I came across this completely different way of writing. It's not one I would ever have chosen or even thought of but I can see how it might work and it got me thinking.
Anyway, after a successful acceptance of my book by Waterstones, I started, out of interest to browse their website. I came across this traditional method they suggest to get you in the spirit and mood for true creative writing. After all, it's all about true creativity.
(In this example I'm relating it to the sort of stories I write.)
Firstly they suggest focusing on your equipment. Use an old fashioned quill and ink, dim the lights or better still, use candles instead of artificial light. The light of the room helps curb your mind towards the dark, the unknown and basically inspires you towards thinking gloomy thoughts. (Sounds depressing I know but the idea is that it gets you in the right place for creating those dark tales!)
Whilst just surfing the web for ideas I came across this completely different way of writing. It's not one I would ever have chosen or even thought of but I can see how it might work and it got me thinking.
Anyway, after a successful acceptance of my book by Waterstones, I started, out of interest to browse their website. I came across this traditional method they suggest to get you in the spirit and mood for true creative writing. After all, it's all about true creativity.
(In this example I'm relating it to the sort of stories I write.)
Firstly they suggest focusing on your equipment. Use an old fashioned quill and ink, dim the lights or better still, use candles instead of artificial light. The light of the room helps curb your mind towards the dark, the unknown and basically inspires you towards thinking gloomy thoughts. (Sounds depressing I know but the idea is that it gets you in the right place for creating those dark tales!)
Then you choose a location. For those who have read my most recent stories will know that I chose an actual city, Peterborough, as I found in this case it gave the stories a more ‘it can happen to you’ feeling. If you chose a fictional city you can still make it relatable but the benefit of using a real city allows the reader to identify and imagine the very spot where something sinister actually may have taken place.
Next, you'll want to decide how you are going to bring the sense of mysteriousness and create the mood and tension for your ghostly character. What's happening? What has actually happened? Who is this central figure of your story? Do you want it to be just slightly creepy? Or do you want it to really startle your readers? Are you getting across an underlying message? . . .The choice is yours.
With these ideas in place you then focus on building the tension to reach the dramatic point of your story with an identified protagonist. Characters must be sharp, rounded, gripping, exciting, and so always work on these until you are totally satisfied. Once you get these points sorted into a structured plan then your story will be underway.
Next, you'll want to decide how you are going to bring the sense of mysteriousness and create the mood and tension for your ghostly character. What's happening? What has actually happened? Who is this central figure of your story? Do you want it to be just slightly creepy? Or do you want it to really startle your readers? Are you getting across an underlying message? . . .The choice is yours.
With these ideas in place you then focus on building the tension to reach the dramatic point of your story with an identified protagonist. Characters must be sharp, rounded, gripping, exciting, and so always work on these until you are totally satisfied. Once you get these points sorted into a structured plan then your story will be underway.
Now just write it…and see where your imagination takes you...
This is all you actually need to do, but, be under no illusions that to do it properly requires hard work.
At some point the question is going to come, and in my case having written the story. . . that time is now!
This is all you actually need to do, but, be under no illusions that to do it properly requires hard work.
At some point the question is going to come, and in my case having written the story. . . that time is now!
This is the important question everybody should be asking themselves when they create anything of worth. This is the stage where you must evaluate and analyse what you have done. The most effective way for doing this is to get feedback from other people. When you do you will find that the things you have got right far outweigh things you might have missed. It is a basic truth that people will be naturally critical, but a good story will always arouse plenty of positivity.
Having written The Spirit of Peterborough, it makes me think and wonder; was there anything that I needed to put in to make it better or more exciting to read? But at the same time I know there are lots of things that people will like about it.
I put in an endless amount of time and effort into the work of this book, but as everyone knows there is always something to improve on and it will never be perfect. But that’s okay, writing is supposed to be like that.
I write from the heart, I always have done and hopefully always will do. Sometimes it's not about thinking what would people like to read, it's having the confidence that your imagination and ideas will be strong enough to capture people's interests.
So I would really love to know. . . if you were to give me feedback - what would it be?
Leave a comment, I would love to know what you think. And, if you have read any of the book, The Spirit of Peterborough, please find time to leave a short review.
You can find 'The Spirit of Peterborough ' at http://www.tomgoymour.com/
The Spirit of Peterborough on Amazon
and . .
The Spirit of Peterborough on Smashwords
Review:
Email: tomgoymour@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TomGoymourAuthor
Having written The Spirit of Peterborough, it makes me think and wonder; was there anything that I needed to put in to make it better or more exciting to read? But at the same time I know there are lots of things that people will like about it.
I put in an endless amount of time and effort into the work of this book, but as everyone knows there is always something to improve on and it will never be perfect. But that’s okay, writing is supposed to be like that.
I write from the heart, I always have done and hopefully always will do. Sometimes it's not about thinking what would people like to read, it's having the confidence that your imagination and ideas will be strong enough to capture people's interests.
So I would really love to know. . . if you were to give me feedback - what would it be?
Leave a comment, I would love to know what you think. And, if you have read any of the book, The Spirit of Peterborough, please find time to leave a short review.
You can find 'The Spirit of Peterborough ' at http://www.tomgoymour.com/
The Spirit of Peterborough on Amazon
and . .
The Spirit of Peterborough on Smashwords
Review:
Email: tomgoymour@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TomGoymourAuthor
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