Writing

Helooooo?

Writer's Quirk 5

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Who could?

Writer's Quirk 4

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Interview with HMC

HMC

Through the magic of the internet, connecting us instantly across the world, I had the opportunity to interview HMC, author of the upcoming book, White Walls, coming June 20, 2013.

White Walls

HMC is a freelance writer, teacher and artist who resides on the Gold Coast, Australia. She has a degree in psychology, writes a column for an online magazine and blogs about global issues.

HMC is inspired by many genres, but has always been particularly fascinated by magic, thrillers or books with a twist.

What do you like the most about the act of writing? What do you dislike?

I’m a storyteller.

Writing came second, for me. I’m still perfecting the art of getting the story in my head to translate onto pages. Writing is a way to express these stories, much like an artist wants to express an image in their mind’s eye. It doesn’t always work out as you plan it. You can’t give up, though, because often it turns out better!

What I dislike? Hmmm … I dislike waiting for your book to come out. It feels like an eternity.

How does your art influence what and how you write?

My artwork has actually inspired my next novel, entirely. Three drawings I’d done, a few years back, revealed to me three characters for a childrens’ book. It’s called Robert Mumpkin Myer and the Wish Makers and I’m looking to finish it this year.

Not only does my own artwork influence me, but others’, too.  I use art and photography all the time, to help me describe scenes and characters.

What is it about reading and writing thrillers that reaches you and moves you?

The suspense and the twists.

If you can fool me into thinking one thing, and have the reality (in the story) be another, you’ve got my attention. It’s been that way since I was little. I adore surprises.

Does your writing tie in to your work in a school environment? How so?

Not this book, that’s for sure! This one is very adult.

My next novel is for the kids, and my daughter, Charlotte. It’s written purely with the age-group in mind. I know what gets them excited, and what bores them – you can see it on their faces when you’re reading a story. The ingredients for a good childrens’ book are: humour, quirkiness, characters we love to detest, and a hero that they can relate to.

What do you think makes Australian writers are unique? What challenges do you face in a global publishing environment?

We have all have different experiences because we’re all individuals. No matter what country you’re from, you have a unique perspective. I know that we have talent over here and I would like to see us excel in the arts, just as we excel in sports!

In global market, we face many difficulties. I’ve written an entire blog on this one. You can see it HERE

H.M.C

EXCERPT from White Walls:

Sunlight peeked through the gaps in the canopy. The Australian bushland spread over either side of the road, and above them, like a welcoming arch. The quiet shade and cool air made Jade feel secure. Lawyer vines and creepers twirled around the old Gums and Paperbarks. The ground was covered in native grasses and layer upon layer of leaf litter.

It was breathtaking and it reminded Jade of her childhood. She remembered the smell of rain as she ventured through the undergrowth with nowhere in particular to be. There was no set time to be home, as long as it was before the sun went down. She would watch, delighted, as Angus would throw rocks into the creek, catch tadpoles and jump from rock to rock. A much simpler time – just like her mother and grandmother would profess about their very own childhoods. Were we all doomed to become more and more complex?

This was why she returned to Fairholmes. To try to regain some of that happiness that had been here … just where she had left it.  Angus spoke, and he had to repeat himself before getting her attention.

‘I think they’ve given up,’ he said.

Sign up HERE to receive a sneak peek at White Walls

OR

Join in the Online Launch Party and Charity Event HERE 

The advance reviews are out: Goodreads

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Notable tendencies

Writer's Quirk 3

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Only writers know…

Writer's Quirk 2

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Writers are unique because:

Writer's Quirk 1

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Share if you can read this!

A little silly for your Friday:

Share if you can read

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Take a deep…

breath breathe

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Don’t lose your cool

Picture2

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Stop Apostrophe and Quotation Mark Abuse

BossyBigSisPFETQA

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I know you heard me the first time

AffectEffect

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More nagging

Bossy Big Sis Than Then

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Don’t embarrass yourself…

conscience

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What you shouldn’t tell me

There are things that authors shouldn’t tell me, the reader, in their books. It’s not that I’m not trustworthy. It’s just that sometimes less is more. Some things you write about damage your story.

  1. Character description: Don’t tell me everything about the character down to the last pimple. Physical description is important and the story isn’t complete without it, but don’t tell me everything. Let me imagine some, please.
  1.  Scenery description: I want to imagine your scenery, too. The only necessary scenery is backdrop for the story, where it takes place. Each sentence of extra description is icing on the cake. The thing is, most people don’t like too much icing on their cake. We can’t scoop the excess off with a fork, so keep it reasonable.
  1. Character introductions: Don’t tell me everything at once. Meeting a new character is like meeting a new friend. Acquaintances don’t tell each other every detail of their lives in the first five minutes of meeting. Just like getting to know a real person, let me in on the details of the character’s life and personality gradually, preferably as the story progresses.
  2. Romantic and sexual scenes: Intimate scenes are especially delicate when getting to know a character. I’m not a floozie, so don’t tell me about the character’s naughty thoughts and naughty bits until we get a chance to know one another better. This doesn’t necessarily apply to erotica, but I don’t read erotica anyway.
  1. Dramatic buildup: All readers appreciate the dramatic buildup to a climax. But you shouldn’t build and build, never getting to the point. At some point excitement turns to exasperation and we think you’re a tease.
  1. Technical jargon: Some jargon is good and makes us feel like we’re learning something. If you spend paragraphs educating us on technical specifications in your novel, we feel the need to check the cover to be sure we didn’t accidentally pick up a technical manual.

 

It’s painful to chop up your hard-wrought words just to please ignorant, unappreciative readers, but books are just paper (or data) unless someone reads them. None of your words have to be wasted. Spread them judiciously, saving the extra bits for more stories. The joy of sharing your work with others who can enjoy it makes up for the pain of editing.

What do you as a reader not want to hear?

What is your TMI (too much information) weakness as a writer?

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When I Just Can’t Write

There are those times when I just can’t write. I may even have great ideas in my head but they get stuck like the glue bottle with the big glue booger in it that won’t come out.

Reasons why I can’t write:

  • My head is too full
  • My head is empty
  • My life is too busy to stop and write
  • Not enough sleep

Ways to get myself started again:

  • Sleep (sometimes it’s not going to happen)
  • Wait until everything calms down
  • Squeeze in my writing anywhere I can – Evernote app is great for this
  • Read books, watch inspiring movies and TV, read manga (I think of it as recharging my writing batteries)
  • Get some time alone

Sometimes these still don’t work. What do you do?

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