The Right Way To Get Published was published in Best of British magazine in December 2008.
Every word you read has been written by somebody, so why shouldn’t it be you? And apparently we’ve all got a book inside us, so have you started yours yet?
The joy of writing as a pastime is that there’s no age barrier. Megan Blunt received a Pride of Britain award in October 2007 after battling cancer at the age of 15, and then writing a book telling other children how to cope with the disease. Mary Wesley, author of The Camomile Lawn and other novels had her first book published at the age of 70.
Whether you want to write your memoirs to pass on to your children and grandchildren, pen some poems to entertain friends at special occasions, or become the next J.K. Rowling, at some point you have to actually sit down and start writing. Knowing where to start though, can be a little daunting.
Writing is a solitary activity. Scribbling away with a fountain pen and notebook, or caressing the keys on your computer often means trying to find a quiet corner somewhere in which to wait for the muse to strike. Modern day living doesn’t always make this possible. And then there are the questions. How do you lay it out on the paper? Where do you send it to? How do you protect your copyright? What’s the market looking for now? Well, a good way to find answers to these and more is to go on a writing holiday.
“Everyone wants to write,” says Trevor and Angie Cullum from Shropshire, “but going on a writers’ holiday makes you sit down and do it.” Many people like the idea of being a writer, but never get round to doing any! A writers’ holiday makes you set time aside. It sends a clear message to you (I’ve booked this holiday, so I’d better write something), and also to your friends and family (I’m going away to do something I want to do). The holiday also takes you away from all the distractions of your normal day to day life. It gives you the time to write.
Secondly, it gives you more personal tuition. If you read one of the many books or magazines for writers and something isn’t clear, there’s no one to ask for clarification. On the holiday, you can ask that question. I’ve run several writing holidays, and been quizzed by students over breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as during the classes themselves! However, I don’t mind because as a tutor I’m keen to help anyone who wants to learn. Rachel McCollin, who came on the last writing holiday I ran, says, “I wanted the opportunity to meet face to face with the tutors, ask them questions and to meet the other students who I could learn from too.”
Tutors usually mix socially and eat with course members outside of the formal tutoring periods, which means that even if you’re not comfortable asking a question in front of a small group, there’s an opportunity to chat to the tutor or course leader informally. Some may offer to read your work and provide you with feedback. “Professional advice from tutors helps you to improve your writing,” says Angie Cullum. Sadly, when you send your writing to a magazine or a publisher, and it is rejected, rarely are you told why. Any feedback on your work will help you to develop as a writer.
“The experienced advice and inside information on publishers and agents is invaluable,” says Trevor Cullum. A writing holiday can also give you the inside tips you need to break through.
It also gives you the opportunity to meet and chat with other writers. Networking like this helps you to learn more hints, tips and useful tricks. Because writing is a solitary pastime, suddenly coming into contact with other likeminded people can be quite liberating! “The warm welcome from organisers and fellow writers removes any fears you have held,” confirms Trevor. It’s common to see course members swapping email addresses and other contact details at the end of the holiday, because now they’ve made writing friends, they want to stay in touch.
Take time to find the right writing course for you. Be clear about what you want from the holiday. Do you want a course dedicated to one genre of writing? Don’t expect a course about unleashing the creativity of your mind to spend much time, if any, telling you where to submit your novel. Instead, find a course aimed at novel writing for beginners. Investigate what the course will cover in detail and who it is aimed at. Make sure the course is right for your level of writing expertise. If one to one feedback is important to you then look for the courses that offer it. As Rachel advises, “think about what you want to get from it and what questions you might want to ask. Have an open mind – you may find it fosters an interest in a type of writing you haven’t thought about before. And don’t worry about feeling silly with questions. Better to look silly on a course than with an editor!”
For some, the main benefit of such a holiday, is the going home afterwards feeling newly invigorated and motivated. Fired up with enthusiasm, ideas and even the outline of a short story or novel, many just want to get back home and start writing! “Realising that successful writers are no different to any would-be writer is enlightening,” says Angie Cullum. “Never giving up is the message to embrace.”
Writing holidays can become addictive. Look at other writing themed courses, such as literary festival breaks, or dedicated writer’s festivals. Above all enjoy yourself, because this enthusiasm will show in your writing. Perhaps this could be the start of a whole new chapter in your life? Are you just about to write the next article for Best of British magazine?
Writers’ Holidays
15th-17th February 2008 – Writers’ and Artists’ Workshop Weekend at Fishguard for poetry, short stories or novels.
27th July – 1st August – Writers’ Holiday at Caerleon. A choice of 12 workshops on novels, short stories, travel writing, crime fiction, erotic fiction, poetry, writing a non-fiction book and numerous guest speakers.
For details of both holidays visit www.writersholiday.net/ for more details , ring 01633 489438, or write to Writers Holiday, School Bungalow, Church Road, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, South Wales, NP44 1AT
Arvon Foundation
The Arvon Foundation have 4 centres across the UK, (Devon, Shropshire, Yorkshire and Inverness-shire), and operate numerous courses. Visit www.arvonfoundation.org or write to Arvon Foundation, 42a Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0RE for a brochure.
Ty Newydd
Ty Newydd is the national writers’ centre for Wales and runs courses on fiction, drama, poetry, prose, writing for children and many more. Based in Criccieth, you can write to Ty Newydd, Llanystumdwy, Criccieth, Gwynedd, LL52 0LW, or visit, www.tynewydd.org for a brochure and further details.
THE END
The joy of writing as a pastime is that there’s no age barrier. Megan Blunt received a Pride of Britain award in October 2007 after battling cancer at the age of 15, and then writing a book telling other children how to cope with the disease. Mary Wesley, author of The Camomile Lawn and other novels had her first book published at the age of 70.
Whether you want to write your memoirs to pass on to your children and grandchildren, pen some poems to entertain friends at special occasions, or become the next J.K. Rowling, at some point you have to actually sit down and start writing. Knowing where to start though, can be a little daunting.
Writing is a solitary activity. Scribbling away with a fountain pen and notebook, or caressing the keys on your computer often means trying to find a quiet corner somewhere in which to wait for the muse to strike. Modern day living doesn’t always make this possible. And then there are the questions. How do you lay it out on the paper? Where do you send it to? How do you protect your copyright? What’s the market looking for now? Well, a good way to find answers to these and more is to go on a writing holiday.
“Everyone wants to write,” says Trevor and Angie Cullum from Shropshire, “but going on a writers’ holiday makes you sit down and do it.” Many people like the idea of being a writer, but never get round to doing any! A writers’ holiday makes you set time aside. It sends a clear message to you (I’ve booked this holiday, so I’d better write something), and also to your friends and family (I’m going away to do something I want to do). The holiday also takes you away from all the distractions of your normal day to day life. It gives you the time to write.
Secondly, it gives you more personal tuition. If you read one of the many books or magazines for writers and something isn’t clear, there’s no one to ask for clarification. On the holiday, you can ask that question. I’ve run several writing holidays, and been quizzed by students over breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as during the classes themselves! However, I don’t mind because as a tutor I’m keen to help anyone who wants to learn. Rachel McCollin, who came on the last writing holiday I ran, says, “I wanted the opportunity to meet face to face with the tutors, ask them questions and to meet the other students who I could learn from too.”
Tutors usually mix socially and eat with course members outside of the formal tutoring periods, which means that even if you’re not comfortable asking a question in front of a small group, there’s an opportunity to chat to the tutor or course leader informally. Some may offer to read your work and provide you with feedback. “Professional advice from tutors helps you to improve your writing,” says Angie Cullum. Sadly, when you send your writing to a magazine or a publisher, and it is rejected, rarely are you told why. Any feedback on your work will help you to develop as a writer.
“The experienced advice and inside information on publishers and agents is invaluable,” says Trevor Cullum. A writing holiday can also give you the inside tips you need to break through.
It also gives you the opportunity to meet and chat with other writers. Networking like this helps you to learn more hints, tips and useful tricks. Because writing is a solitary pastime, suddenly coming into contact with other likeminded people can be quite liberating! “The warm welcome from organisers and fellow writers removes any fears you have held,” confirms Trevor. It’s common to see course members swapping email addresses and other contact details at the end of the holiday, because now they’ve made writing friends, they want to stay in touch.
Take time to find the right writing course for you. Be clear about what you want from the holiday. Do you want a course dedicated to one genre of writing? Don’t expect a course about unleashing the creativity of your mind to spend much time, if any, telling you where to submit your novel. Instead, find a course aimed at novel writing for beginners. Investigate what the course will cover in detail and who it is aimed at. Make sure the course is right for your level of writing expertise. If one to one feedback is important to you then look for the courses that offer it. As Rachel advises, “think about what you want to get from it and what questions you might want to ask. Have an open mind – you may find it fosters an interest in a type of writing you haven’t thought about before. And don’t worry about feeling silly with questions. Better to look silly on a course than with an editor!”
For some, the main benefit of such a holiday, is the going home afterwards feeling newly invigorated and motivated. Fired up with enthusiasm, ideas and even the outline of a short story or novel, many just want to get back home and start writing! “Realising that successful writers are no different to any would-be writer is enlightening,” says Angie Cullum. “Never giving up is the message to embrace.”
Writing holidays can become addictive. Look at other writing themed courses, such as literary festival breaks, or dedicated writer’s festivals. Above all enjoy yourself, because this enthusiasm will show in your writing. Perhaps this could be the start of a whole new chapter in your life? Are you just about to write the next article for Best of British magazine?
Writers’ Holidays
15th-17th February 2008 – Writers’ and Artists’ Workshop Weekend at Fishguard for poetry, short stories or novels.
27th July – 1st August – Writers’ Holiday at Caerleon. A choice of 12 workshops on novels, short stories, travel writing, crime fiction, erotic fiction, poetry, writing a non-fiction book and numerous guest speakers.
For details of both holidays visit www.writersholiday.net/ for more details , ring 01633 489438, or write to Writers Holiday, School Bungalow, Church Road, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, South Wales, NP44 1AT
Arvon Foundation
The Arvon Foundation have 4 centres across the UK, (Devon, Shropshire, Yorkshire and Inverness-shire), and operate numerous courses. Visit www.arvonfoundation.org or write to Arvon Foundation, 42a Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0RE for a brochure.
Ty Newydd
Ty Newydd is the national writers’ centre for Wales and runs courses on fiction, drama, poetry, prose, writing for children and many more. Based in Criccieth, you can write to Ty Newydd, Llanystumdwy, Criccieth, Gwynedd, LL52 0LW, or visit, www.tynewydd.org for a brochure and further details.
THE END