In this issue:
- TIP: Can one company become two?
- How to write for kids
- Where does ‘vox pop’ come from?
- Learn Grammar and Punctuation in one day
- CAL Scribe Fiction Prize
- Book Giveaway – Dark Country by Bronwyn Parry
- Continue your writing journey with Creative Writing stage 2
- WEBPICK: Dial 911 for writer’s block emergencies!
As I write this, I'm sitting in the lovely library of the RACV Club in Melbourne. I've been in Melbourne to speak at an event on "7 Ways to Boost your Business and Build Your Brand Online". In an increasingly online world, getting online communication right can be the difference between whether you succeed or fail in your business or in getting your message across. If you're a business owner, you won't want to miss my Online Business Booster Bootcamp on Friday 28 August 2009 - there are only a few places left!Anyhow, back to the RACV Club library ... one of the reasons I love this place is that it's a sanctuary in the busy CBD and, most importantly, has a whole stack of magazines to browse through. If you've done our course Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers (and yes, we've just announced a new date - Monday 12 October due to popular demand), you'll know how important it is to analyse magazines and, for those of you in Melbourne, this is the ideal place for you to browse to your heart's content. Right now, there's lovely music playing in the background, it's a calm, peaceful atmosphere and I'm flipping through Italian Vogue ... soon to be followed by the latest issue of The Economist.
See you when I'm back in Sydney next week!
TIP: Can one company become two?I received an email this week from one of our readers and she wanted to know which of these two sentences is correct.
Coles believes they are the best supermarket.Should the company name Coles be treated as plural or singular?
Coles believes it is the best supermarket.
The second sentence is correct. The business name is a singular noun, even if it looks plural, and therefore you must use a singular verb. People often make this mistake, but just remember that a company is a single entity.
How to write for kids
Kids love to read. Just ask JK Rowling or Morris Gleitzman. So, if you’ve got a story you think kids will love or a book idea for young adult readers, then our Writing Books for Children and Young Adults course is the ideal place to start. This five-week course will cover:
- how to get started
- finding the right voice
- creating characters and stories young readers will enjoy
- common assumptions about writing for children and about young readers
- understanding the children's publishing market.
This course is presented by Judith Ridge. Judith has worked with the Children's Book Council, as an editor at ABC Children's Books and the NSW School Magazine and freelances as an editor for Random House. For the past two years, Judith has taught "Writing for Children" at the University of Sydney MA in Creative Writing.
Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 18 August 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Did you know?
You may be familiar with the term "vox pops". This is when people on the street are surveyed and encouraged to give their opinion.
For example, you'll often see TV commercials where supposed members of the public give their opinion on anything from what breakfast cereal they like to whether they know anyone who has won a Scratchie. These are commonly known as "vox pops". But the term actually originates from the Latin "vox populi" which means "voice of the people".
Why you need to understand Grammar and Punctuation
Grammar doesn’t need to be scary. Knowing the basic rules of grammar and punctuation means you can be confident that your writing is free from errors and is easy to read. And you’ll feel safe in the knowledge that you will never misplace your apostrophes again!Our practical and intensive one-day seminar will give you:
- knowledge that you can apply easily and immediately in your writing
- a clear understanding of how to treat common mistakes - such as apostrophes and plurals
- the basic rules you need to know to be confident in the workplace
- an understanding of when to bend, break or keep a rule or convention
- ability to discern when more than one solution is acceptable
- empowerment to justify your corrections to your own and other people's writing
- a taste of how professional editors approach their craft
- more confidence in applying the standard hard-copy editing marks to double-spaced copy
- and much more.
The seminar is presented by Deb Doyle, an experienced editorial-training consultant and publication editor. Deb has conducted courses for the Productivity Commission, AMP and Wizard Home Loans as well as many other corporate and government entities located in Sydney or Melbourne. Deb's courses are interactive and fun. You'll be amazed at how engaging and interesting a workshop in grammar and punctuation can be.
Grammar and Punctuation: What you need to know with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 20 August 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
CAL Scribe Fiction PrizeThere are many awards and prizes offered for ‘young’ writers (or writers under 35) but it’s unusual to find an award for writers over the age of 35. But, as Scribe Publishers point out, there are many writers who aren’t published until much later in life. Just a few examples are Elizabeth Jolley (her first novel was published when she was 53), Annie Proulx (won the Pulitzer Prize for her second novel Shipping News at the age of 58) and Raymond Chandler (first novel published at 51).
So, here it is – a competition for the best un-published manuscript by a writer over the age of 35. The winner of the CAL Scribe Fiction Prize will receive $12,000 and a book contract from Scribe publishers. Entries close on 15 October 2009.
Click here for full details and an entry form.
Book Giveaway – Dark Country by Bronwyn Parry
Last year I interviewed Bronwyn Parry for our author podcast series. She’s a very successful romance fiction author and gave us some great insight into her daily writing life and also offered some wonderful advice for aspiring writers. You can listen to the podcast here. Since we spoke to Bronwyn, she’s completed another novel, and we have one copy to give away thanks to Hachette Australia. Dark Country is set in the small town of Dungirri and focuses on the local police sergeant Kris Matthews and the town’s prodigal son Morgan ‘Gil’ Gillespie. Here’s a little more about the book:
Most people in Dungirri have considered Morgan ‘Gil’ Gillespie a murderer for eighteen years, so he expects no welcome on his return What he doesn’t expect is the discovery of a woman’s tortured body in the boot of his car, and new accusations of murder.
Kris Matthews isn’t sure whether Gil is a decent man wronged by life, or a brutal killer she should be locking up. But she does know that he is not guilty of this murder – because she is his alibi…
If you’d like to win a copy of Dark Country just tell us what your romance fiction would be about. Email answers to courses@spindriftmedia.com.au by Friday 21 August, and remember to include your postal address.
Continue your writing journey with Creative Writing Stage 2
Now that you’ve completed Creative Writing stage 1 or Writing Books for Children and Young Adults, how will you continue your writing journey? If you want to continue honing your craft or you feel you’re past the beginners’ stage and want to jump right into a ‘doing’ course, then Creative Writing stage 2 is for you. This course will continue to explore Character, Voice and Plot, and will also give you the chance to workshop your writing, with a view to completing a short story by the end of the course.
The course has been developed by Pamela Freeman, author and creative writing teacher, and is presented by Judith Ridge. Judith is a highly regarded creative writing teacher and has particular expertise in workshopping and facilitating practical sessions.
Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 26 August 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
WEBPICK: 911 Writer’s Block
Finally – an emergency service for writers suffering the dreaded writer’s block! 911 Writer’s Block should definitely be in your favourites folder. If you’re stuck on a setting for your story, dial 1. If you need a prompt to write the perfect dramatic entrance, dial 3. And if you feel your brain needs a real workout, dial 7 for Calisthenics – and see if you can bring together three random elements in a story.
Visit http://www.webook.com/911writersblock - for emergencies only!
Other upcoming courses
Course: Online Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 17 August 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Writing for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 18 August 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle - LAST SEMINAR FOR 2009
When: Wednesday 19 August 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $365
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 19 August 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 20 August 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth - FULL
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 20 August 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 26 August 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Business Booster Bootcamp with Valerie Khoo
When: Friday 28 August 2009 (one-day bootcamp)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $695
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 September 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Script Writing for the Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 3 September and Thursday 10 September 2009 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Friday 4 September 2009 (one-morning seminar)
Time: 10am to 12noon
Cost: $75
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo - NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 7 September 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever you want
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Wednesday 9 September 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 11 September 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10am – 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 September 2009 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Seminar: Successful Freelancing with Gayle Bryant and Valerie Khoo
When: Thursday 24 September 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 30 September 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Katrina Lobley - NEW DATE AND PRESENTER
When: Every Monday starting Monday 12 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 20 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 21 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 5 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
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