Friday, September 7, 2012
ONLINE WRITING COURSE: KICK-STARTING THE NOVEL
Following my last post I thought it might be a good idea to add details of my 'Kick-starting the novel course, since at the moment I'm having to follow my own advice and kick-start a typescript that been dormant for years!
This is an ideal course for those who have got ‘bogged down’ with an existing novel. Discover how to kick-start the narrative as tutored at Horncastle College (Lincs) and the University of Wales’ Writers’ Summer School. Participants should have completed at least the first 2-3 chapters, and be able to submit a full synopsis of the novel at the time of registration. The course includes:
Lesson One Who’s going to read my novel?
Lesson Two: Plot and Theme
Lesson Three: Characterisation
Lesson Four: Pace and narrative style
Lesson Five: Bones and Padding
Lesson Six: Publishers and Agents
The fee is £20 per lesson paid in advance via PayPal. This ensures that the writer pays only for the tuition received and can withdrawn from the course at any time.
For more information send an email to
suzanneruthven333@gmail.com
Subject: ‘online writing course’.
Personal Update
The final draft for How To Write For The How-To Market is almost complete and should be off to the publishers within the next couple of weeks. Compass Books is slowly gaining recognition and we're beginning to have some highly experienced authors in our sights. Have a look at www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks for details of our activities and the forthcoming titles. We're looking to expand Facebook as a mini-writers' resource, not just as a catalogue of creative writing books - so log in and 'Like'.
I've also restarted the research to kick-start my own novel - The House of Strange Gods - and will be knuckling down to this as soon as the last non-fiction book is out of the way. It will be in the same vein as my first novel, Whittlewood, and I hope I have as much enjoyment writing it. I'm also toying with the idea of publishing Whittlewood as an e-book for Kindle but that's for later.
I've also restarted the research to kick-start my own novel - The House of Strange Gods - and will be knuckling down to this as soon as the last non-fiction book is out of the way. It will be in the same vein as my first novel, Whittlewood, and I hope I have as much enjoyment writing it. I'm also toying with the idea of publishing Whittlewood as an e-book for Kindle but that's for later.
Friday, July 6, 2012
ignotus press titles
You can't keep a good book down - had it brought to my notice recently that old ignotus press titles are becoming collector's items with an asking price of £40+ on one of them. Search the book shelves and compare prices on Amazon and ABE Books!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
How To Write For The How-To Market
I might have been off-line for nearly two months but haven't been idle. Just had my proposal accepted for the above title and accepted the contract. It will be something to work on during the summer rainy season here in Ireland!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Cyber Armageddon!
Two months ago the local Eircom internet went into melt-down and after weeks of anger and frustration it was necessary to change over to a new service provider. Having paid the money and set up the direct debit, it was discovered that where we live is an internet 'black spot' and so it might be necessary for a booster or aerial to be installed. A further three weeks go by and an engineer arrives to install both - as we live between two mountain ranges the reception is a bit iffy. All this was known when we signed up, so why the delay, we are unable to fathom. Never mind ... we're back on the internet, but I must admit it was peaceful not having to bother about web sites, emails, blogs and passwords! Now the headaches begin again ...
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Farewell to ignotus press
It's the end of an era with the announcement that ignotus press is no more. Gone but not forgotten, the name now operates in a new incarnation in the US in the realms of computer technology. Which is a trifle ironic since I'm a known techno-idiot.
On the plus side, Life-Writes (see cover) was launched his week and I'm delighted with the result. Will be taking a short break from writing during the summer months but the brain will still be beavering away. If you have any ideas for a how-to creative writing book, go to facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks for more information about what I'm looking for.
On the plus side, Life-Writes (see cover) was launched his week and I'm delighted with the result. Will be taking a short break from writing during the summer months but the brain will still be beavering away. If you have any ideas for a how-to creative writing book, go to facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks for more information about what I'm looking for.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Suzanne Ruthven Interview
Interview with What the Dickens? magazine
for Issue #3 (1st April 2012)
Have you got previous? What is your writing background?
I started my professional writing career in 1987 by founding the small press writers’ magazine, Quartos, which ran for nine years until its merger with Acclaim to create The New Writer, of which I remain editor along with publisher Merric Davidson. In addition to acting as a judge for several national writing competitions, I have tutored at writers’ workshops including The Annual Writers’ Conference (Winchester College), Writers’ Holiday (University of Wales), Horncastle College (Lincolnshire) and the Cheltenham Literature Festival. I am also the author over 30 books on spiritual, country and self-help matters (including two novels), and contributed articles to a variety of publications as diverse as The Lady, The Countryman, Prediction and the Funeral Director’s Journal.
How did you come to write the book Life-Writes?
When I wrote my first writing guide I was editing a magazine, and with one published book to my name, the aim being to produce a practical nuts and bolts guide to starting a writing career, with plenty of additional advice from other tutors, editors, authors and freelance writers. The second guide was written to support the increasing number of writers’ workshops I was tutoring; as the first book had passed its sell-by date and was out of print, another completely different book was required. Life-Writes, is my third writers’ guide, and has been written to coincide with my appointment as commissioning editor for Compass Books, so that as an author I always have something new on offer and not stuck in the time-warp of constantly regurgitating previously published material.
How long did it take you to write and did you have to research a lot?
It probably took about six months but most of the material was in my head and back issues of The New Writer. Having said that, another book currently in its final proofing stage has taken 10 years to finish and a considerable amount of research time.
The road to publication? Rough or smooth?
I’m extremely fortunate that it’s been relatively smooth but, like David Bowie, I’m constantly re-inventing myself! Writers can’t afford to stagnate and we must always be on the lookout for new ideas.
What inspires you?
My environment. I’m at my most prolific when in close proximity to woods, the sea, or mountains. At present I am living in Ireland with a magnificent view of the Galtee Mountains. When I live in an urban environment I really have to work hard at getting the old creative energies to flow.
Which books have influenced you the most and why?
Writers rather than actual books have influenced my style of writing in terms of delivery and the clever use of language – Noel Coward, Simon Raven, Colette, Francoise Sagan, to name but a few.
Where and when do you write?
I write better in the mornings and have a book-lined study/office that overlooks the mountains. I prefer to work for several hours at a stretch rather than ‘an hour a day’, and if the brain starts to slow down, I take our seven greyhounds out for a walk to recharge the batteries.
What are your plans now and what’s coming up next?
There are two more books in the pipeline: Fact Finding Mission and How To Write for the How-To Market. After that there’s the first draft of a novel to work on, plus several other ideas that are still in note-form.
What words of wisdom can you leave us with?
All editors are looking for an element of action, drama or surprise, even in non-fiction. It’s what catches their attention and makes them pause to read further; and the key to any editor’s heart is originality. Not necessarily a new departure in style or genre, but a refreshing and original slant on a popular theme. The writers whose work has been accepted for publication, managed to spark the editor’s interest because those particular typescripts stood out from the rest on a dull, wet Monday morning due to the originality of the writing.
See www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks
for Issue #3 (1st April 2012)
Have you got previous? What is your writing background?
I started my professional writing career in 1987 by founding the small press writers’ magazine, Quartos, which ran for nine years until its merger with Acclaim to create The New Writer, of which I remain editor along with publisher Merric Davidson. In addition to acting as a judge for several national writing competitions, I have tutored at writers’ workshops including The Annual Writers’ Conference (Winchester College), Writers’ Holiday (University of Wales), Horncastle College (Lincolnshire) and the Cheltenham Literature Festival. I am also the author over 30 books on spiritual, country and self-help matters (including two novels), and contributed articles to a variety of publications as diverse as The Lady, The Countryman, Prediction and the Funeral Director’s Journal.
How did you come to write the book Life-Writes?
When I wrote my first writing guide I was editing a magazine, and with one published book to my name, the aim being to produce a practical nuts and bolts guide to starting a writing career, with plenty of additional advice from other tutors, editors, authors and freelance writers. The second guide was written to support the increasing number of writers’ workshops I was tutoring; as the first book had passed its sell-by date and was out of print, another completely different book was required. Life-Writes, is my third writers’ guide, and has been written to coincide with my appointment as commissioning editor for Compass Books, so that as an author I always have something new on offer and not stuck in the time-warp of constantly regurgitating previously published material.
How long did it take you to write and did you have to research a lot?
It probably took about six months but most of the material was in my head and back issues of The New Writer. Having said that, another book currently in its final proofing stage has taken 10 years to finish and a considerable amount of research time.
The road to publication? Rough or smooth?
I’m extremely fortunate that it’s been relatively smooth but, like David Bowie, I’m constantly re-inventing myself! Writers can’t afford to stagnate and we must always be on the lookout for new ideas.
What inspires you?
My environment. I’m at my most prolific when in close proximity to woods, the sea, or mountains. At present I am living in Ireland with a magnificent view of the Galtee Mountains. When I live in an urban environment I really have to work hard at getting the old creative energies to flow.
Which books have influenced you the most and why?
Writers rather than actual books have influenced my style of writing in terms of delivery and the clever use of language – Noel Coward, Simon Raven, Colette, Francoise Sagan, to name but a few.
Where and when do you write?
I write better in the mornings and have a book-lined study/office that overlooks the mountains. I prefer to work for several hours at a stretch rather than ‘an hour a day’, and if the brain starts to slow down, I take our seven greyhounds out for a walk to recharge the batteries.
What are your plans now and what’s coming up next?
There are two more books in the pipeline: Fact Finding Mission and How To Write for the How-To Market. After that there’s the first draft of a novel to work on, plus several other ideas that are still in note-form.
What words of wisdom can you leave us with?
All editors are looking for an element of action, drama or surprise, even in non-fiction. It’s what catches their attention and makes them pause to read further; and the key to any editor’s heart is originality. Not necessarily a new departure in style or genre, but a refreshing and original slant on a popular theme. The writers whose work has been accepted for publication, managed to spark the editor’s interest because those particular typescripts stood out from the rest on a dull, wet Monday morning due to the originality of the writing.
See www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)