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Post by melissahill on Jan 25, 2007 15:41:25 GMT
Hello everyone,
Haven't been on these boards in ages, but I am at that horrible stage in writing a new book when I don't know the characters and am doing everything in my power NOT to get to know them either ... terrible thing, procastrination!
Anyway, I was having a wander around the boards and noticed the short story section. WOW! Those stories are excellent so I thought I'd better tell you about a new competition Seoige & O'Shea on RTE are running at the moment. I did a bit of filming with them for it recently (although knowing my luck they won't use it and to be honest, I'm half-hoping they won't as I tend to babble like a eejit during these things and they might edit it Big Brother style to make me sound like Jade or Danielle or something!)
But I really think you should consider entering some of these stories into the competition (or writing new ones, whichever you prefer!). The winners will all be published in a short story collection which will be out in September I think so it would be a great opportunity for anyone who's interested in that type of thing. I think the majority of you would be a shoe-in certainly!
Anyway, just thought I'd give you the heads-up, just in case you manage to miss it on TV. It's on Wednesday and they have Patricia Scanlan in studio giving tips which is brilliant.
So give it a go and if you do, best of luck - I'll be rooting for you!
All the best, Melissa Hill XXXXX
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Post by EmmaH on Jan 25, 2007 15:46:10 GMT
Thanks a million for this Melissa. I only contributed one story to the board and I'll keep it in mind when I see what Seoige and O'Shea are looking for/
Thanks and good luck with your book!
Emma
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Post by melissahill on Jan 25, 2007 16:00:00 GMT
Good woman Emma - best of luck!
P.S. I forgot to mention probably the most important thing - Poolbeg will also have the option to publish a full length novel by a winner so DEFINITELY a great reason to give it a go!
All the best,
M X
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Post by susanmay on Jan 25, 2007 17:55:36 GMT
Great to hear from you Melissa.
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Post by Shirley on Jan 25, 2007 20:36:09 GMT
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Post by melissahill on Jan 26, 2007 11:09:33 GMT
Oh good idea Shirley - I should have thought of that, all the details are there on the link. Hope you are all keeping well - I was trying to catch up with everything's that's been happening on the boards, but I could be here for days! I just wanted to wish everyone here who's writing the very best of luck - not just with this but with submitting to editors/agents etc. I remember exactly what it was like and it's not easy. But I was watching the programme the other day and Patricia Scanlan brought in the actual envelope from one of her rejections which I thought really put things into perspective - who would have thought someone like Patricia, one of our best and most successful writers could have been rejected? So don't ever give up - persistence is hugely important in this business!!!
All the best,
Melissa XX
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Post by Shirley on Jan 26, 2007 12:56:06 GMT
I nearly got sick with excitement when I read your post last night about the competition Melissa - I just hope now I can get my rear in gear and write a story for it!!! I'm wondering what the best tone to take would be....I'm going to have a good think about it all before I even attempt to write a story.
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Post by claire on Jan 26, 2007 12:59:19 GMT
A Moment Of Clarity is a good one that you wrote. and then there is Moving On they are both great ones
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Post by susanmay on Jan 26, 2007 13:05:04 GMT
I'd say 'Moving On'.
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Post by claire on Jan 26, 2007 13:06:39 GMT
you've also got a good list of stories there Susan, great twists in them
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Post by Shirley on Jan 26, 2007 14:17:45 GMT
I think our problem though is that they aren't long enough....the stories for this comp need to be 4,500 to 5,500 words. I would prefer to come up with a new idea and have the fun of writing it, rather than dragging out a story that I already have. But thanks for the suggestions girls! Claire, go on - give it a go too! You'd be great!
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Post by claire on Jan 26, 2007 16:13:56 GMT
no way I'll support you lot all the way though, you need someone on the side lines too cheering you on
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Post by Oonagh on Jan 26, 2007 22:27:31 GMT
ill be with claire as well!!!
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Post by megan on Jan 27, 2007 14:20:25 GMT
Thanks a million for letting us know about this, Melissa, and for your encouraging words about our short stories. They are a great boost to get us started!! I must browse through mine and pick one, but like Shirley I suspect they are too short and may have to start from scratch. Hmmm! I think it's wonderful that Patricia Scanlan brought in one of her rejection slips to the televsion show. She is such a great woman. I love her! Best of luck with your novel, Melissa. And good luck to Shirley, Susan, Emma and any other write-on girl who enters. One of us has got to win it!!!!
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Post by susanmay on Jan 29, 2007 18:17:24 GMT
Best of luck girls. I don't think I'll be entering. Imagine if your name was called out and you won. I'd be mortified if I had to go on TV I really admire the authors that can go out there and flog their work. I'd never be able to do publicity!
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Post by Shirley on Jan 29, 2007 21:01:26 GMT
I know where you're coming from Susan - I would be morto too, but I think I'd be so thrilled to win that I'd get over it! It's like the Winning Streak syndrome.....if I had to go on that, I'd dread the thought of the interview....but I'd be so happy to win loads of dosh that I think I'd manage it!
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Post by Tracy on Feb 1, 2007 16:07:02 GMT
Hi everybody, this sounds like a terrific competition. I got my own first break through a competition run by Poolbeg and Open House (The Afternoon Show's predecessor). So go for it. Susanmay, if you just enjoy writing and have no desire to be published, then fine. But if you'd love to be published but are too nervous about being in the public eye to go for it - then that's an awful shame, IMHO. You need EFT!! Seriously. That would zap that belief totally, letting you follow your dreams. Either try it yourself, using the free instructions on www.unleash-the-writer.com/freereport. Or buy the book at www.unleash-the-writer.com (it's a download, so you'd have the information in minutes), and follow the step-by-step instructions. There's even a section about fear of being too exposed! I was working with an entrepreneur on Tuesday, whose marketing person wanted to get her a slot on TV, but she wouldn't do it. 10 mins of EFT and she was raring to go - her fear was totally neutralised and gone. Don't let fear hold you back - especially when there's such a terrific tool to get rid of it. Tracy
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Post by fionnuala on Feb 1, 2007 22:54:02 GMT
I saw the show yesterday but unfortunately was not near a computer to e-mail any of you! Dermot Bolger was the author interviewed and he he gave some great tips about writing as did Patricia Scanlan. As I was scribbling furiously at the time I managed to get most of it written down so here goes -:
Write in a room that is virtually bare so distractions will be at a minimum. Have a certain fixed hour set aside to write - inspiration may not always come but if it does you'll be ready for it. Write your first draft with passion in your heart but edit with ice in your veins. You don't necessarily have to write events in sequence. Skip ahead to a further chapter and fill in the story later if it helps you. Dermot recommends that 'The Speckled People' by Hugo Hamilton is a good read for anyone writing in a style that tells the story of their life.
Patricia's advice was centred around creating characters-:
Firstly and foremostly what are they doing and why are they doing it? Make characters as real and authentic as possible. Give each character a name and date of birth from the outset then fill in other details as the story develops - hair colour, height, temperament, likes, dislikes etc. Try and visualise characters in your head as if you can see them so can the reader. When doing dialogue make it voice authentic. Read it aloud and see if it sounds accurate for the age of the person speaking, authentic to the era and part of the country they are from. Speak out dialogue as you write it. Be realistic in your writing. Do not portray the world to be an ideal place. Real people have problems and obstacles to overcome. Humanise characters. Give everyone flaws as well as good points. Store real life events for use in a novel. Situations where there is a crowd are great for bringing characters together - weddings, funerals etc. Time lapses also allow a story to develop - "It's a year since I've seen you so much has happened."
Hope this helps girls! I found it so useful and Patricia Scanlan is brilliant!
Hope to see you on the show Melissa!
Another point of interest to you all is that Richard and Judy's Book Club is also back on the go -Channel 4 at 5.00 and also on a Wednesday I believe. It was on yesterday anyway!
Good luck everyone! Pens at the ready - closing date 15th March!
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Post by Mary on Feb 2, 2007 9:05:52 GMT
Thanks a mill for that! I saw it too and loved listening to Patricia.
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Post by sMurphy on Feb 3, 2007 22:27:41 GMT
Me too! Are you going to enter Fionnuala? I thought about it and have some stories that I was thinking of working on for it, but I decided that I need to focus on my current writing and finish what I have started! I have to be more disciplined with myself.... and I don't think I'd make the deadline anyway!! It's a great opportunity though and it would be so wonderful to see someone from this site winning!!
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Post by fionnuala on Feb 4, 2007 20:10:38 GMT
Yes Rowena I wrote a new short story for the competition and I'm going to send it this week! The hints and tips from the programme are very good for writing generally and are on the RTE website in more detail! It would be wonderful if one of the write on girls could get published so keep fingers crossed that one of us gets lucky!
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Post by claire on Feb 4, 2007 20:52:51 GMT
Best of luck Fionn, let us know how you get on!!
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Post by megan on Feb 5, 2007 7:26:49 GMT
THanks a million for all those tips you took down Fionn. It was really generous of you to share them. I really respect and admire Dermont Bolger as well as Patricia Scanlan. Best of luck with your story!
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Post by megan on Feb 5, 2007 8:02:27 GMT
Susan,
I understand your desire to avoid publicity but is it stronger than your desire to write?? Tracy's option may be a good one, or anything else that could help you through it. You are wonderful at thinking up ideas for short stories. I really hope you find a way to write.
Many of the world's best and most famous writers are terrified of public events, so you are in very good company. It could be another sign that you are meant to write!!
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Post by sMurphy on Feb 5, 2007 9:47:03 GMT
Oh Fionnuala, I am so thrilled that you are entering. Wishing you every success with your application now -- we could be watching you on the tv soon! Positive waves winging your way!
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Post by Shirley on Feb 7, 2007 16:44:58 GMT
Just watched Seoige and O'Shea - today, they spoke about plot. A video clip of Deirdre Purcell was shown first - she said that for her, plot always develops from characters. Then Patricia Scanlan spoke about plot and setting. Patricia always comes across as such a lovely warm woman!
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Post by Eve on Feb 7, 2007 17:23:19 GMT
Seriously, girls, we have to bombard RTE with our very best work!
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Post by fionnuala on Feb 7, 2007 22:12:37 GMT
Seoige and Oshea was v good today and yes I agree Patricia Scanlan seems absolutely lovely! Her tips are really down to earth and everything she says makes a lot of sense! Thank you for your words of encouragement ladies - my story is winging its way to Dublin as we speak!
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Post by Shirley on Feb 7, 2007 22:27:09 GMT
Good woman Fionnuala! Fingers crossed!
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Post by sMurphy on Feb 7, 2007 23:16:21 GMT
Oh am so bummed I missed it - it sounds like a really good session. Wonder if it's available online... I'll go check!
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