Next Meeting on Wednesday 7 May

[Rupert Davies-Cooke]

Hi everyone

 

April has five Wednesdays.... had you noticed?  That means we have a couple of weeks before we meet again on Wednesday 7 May.

 

What great weather we are having.  An opportunity to write in the park.  I'm going to take a notebook and a bottle of water, walk up to the Common and sit under a tree.

 

Below is some information sent to me about courses at Falmouth University as well as something for young writers.

 

Keep writing!

 

Best wishes

 

Rupert

 

 

Rupert Davies-Cooke

Acorn Films

t: +44 (0)20 7978 2216

m: +44 (0)7752 393 242

e: rup...@acornfilms.com

w: www.acornfilms.com

56A Queenstown Road, London SW8 3RY

 

 

Email from Falmouth University

 

We wondered if these two courses at our University might be of interest to your members, full details of both courses can be found on our website www.falmouth.ac.uk under Short Courses and Summer Schools
 
Summer school helps get crime writers clued up

 

Amateur-Agatha Christies and wannabe-Colin Dexters will have a chance to pick up some tips in this summer’s course, Writing Crime Fiction. The week-long course, which is currently accepting applications, will be begin on 11th August, and is being taught by Rosemary Rowe, a pseudonym used by Rosemary Aitken. 

 

Rosemary has written many best selling textbooks on English Language and Communication and is the author of over twenty published novels including the ten historical crime novels in the Libertus series.

 

Over the course of the week, attendees will be learn how to keep their writing brimming with tension and suspense, as well being given tips on characterisation and taking a look at what makes thrillers and crime novels different from other forms of fiction. With workshops and tutorials taking students through setting the scene in their novel to developing leading and supporting characters, it promises to be a week packed with useful tips and exercises. 

 

For those who want to take their crime writing to the next level, Rosemary will also be teaching sessions on how to tell if a manuscript is ready to be submitting for publication, as well as the submission procedure, and what to write in the covering letter to a publisher. 

 

Rosemary said, “Crime writing is an enduring genre which requires compelling writing and lively characters, with tight language to maintain suspense and hold the reader’s interest. This week long course for budding crime writers will help with all aspects of writing in this special genre – everything from creating realistic dialogue to learning how to ‘plot point’ a novel to maintain tension.  

 

I’ll be teaching sessions on structuring chapters and even helping aspiring crime writers with their opening and closing paragraphs. We’ll cover everything you’ll need, including deciding on the setting of your novel, building suspense and hiding clues in the narrative and dialogue. If you’ve got a serious interest in learning to write crime fiction or simply want to explore how you can develop your existing writing skill, this course is for you.”

 

The course will be held at University College Falmouth’s Woodlane Campus, and costs £275 to attend. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Business Relations team on 01326 370444 or email busi...@falmouth.ac.uk for more information or visit our website www.falmouth.ac.uk.

 

Aspiring novelists invited to plot success at University College Falmouth

 

Anyone aspiring to literary success has the opportunity to take some tips from acclaimed author Jane Pollard, who will be running a week-long workshop, called “How to write a novel” from 11th to 15th August. Jane, who has successfully published 24 books, aims to help course attendees to tackle plot, characterisation, and writing dialogue, to further their chances of having their work published.

 

The course, to be held at University College Falmouth’s beautiful Woodlane campus, will give detailed advice on how to construct a plot, including inserting twists and raising dramatic tension, as well as giving students a chance to work in groups to construct a shared story. Jane, whose classes have produced seven published novelists to date, is an expert in devices such as the use of flashbacks in narrative, grabbing a readers interest and creating vivid, memorable characters. Each day tackles well-known trouble spots for writers, building up their confidence and ability to tackle planning out and writing a novel.

 

Jane Pollard said “So many people long to write a novel, but often can’t think where to start. This five day course should help you learn everything you need to know to write a novel, and to get it published. Our group sessions can help to unlock creativity, whilst other teaching sessions will give people the confidence to know how to pick a genre, describe their book in one sentence – and even advice on how to approach an agent.

 

“And the course isn’t only aimed at those striving to get into print. By learning more about constructing character or passing a plot, keen writers can get more out of simply writing for pleasure. The course will be a stimulating and exciting week, and I hope that it inspires someone to go on to write the next best-seller or Booker prize winner! I know that it will give individuals the confidence and skills to write the way that they want, however they go on to use those skills.”

 

Each day of the course runs from 10am until 4pm, with out of classroom assignments designed to keep every level of ability challenged and interested. Course fees are £275 for the five days. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Business Relations team on 01326 370444 or email busi...@falmouth.ac.uk for more information or visit our website www.falmouth.ac.uk.

 

University College Falmouth
Woodlane
Falmouth
Cornwall TR11 4RH
01326 370444

 

 

 

And esepcially for young writers a message from LaunchPad

 

Dear Launch Pad Readers,

 

I am pleased to announce that the second online issue (Fairy Tales & Fantasy) of Launch Pad has now been published. The issue is accessible on the magazine web site. In this issue, you will meet a genie who loves to work out at the gym, some uninvited guests, fairies that light up the stars, an evil magician, and two brave fairies on a quest to save their village from the dragon. The stories and artwork are superb, and I know you will enjoy reading these outstanding creative works.

 

Launch Pad still needs contributors. We are looking for works for our upcoming issues about the Ocean, Summer Fun (hiking, camping, summer sports, vacations, etc.) and Mysteries. If you are a teacher, librarian, or parent, please encourage young people to submit their work! We still have space in all of our upcoming 2008 issues, and Launch Pad especially needs young artists. I would welcome any comments that you might like to share about the second issue. Please feel free to forward or post this announcement on listservs, blogs, Facebook, or other resources. Enjoy the magazine!

 

All the Best,

 

Paul Kelsey
Editor and Publisher
Launch Pad: Where Young Authors and Illustrators Take Off!
edi...@launchpadmag.com
www.launchpadmag.com