Folk Tales

It is obviously necessary for a writer to read but it is also important to get as much creativity into your life as possible. For me that includes music and last night I went to see Seth Lakeman, a West Country folk musician. What I love about folk songs is that they tell stories, almost like an oral history, of times, places and people long gone. There are academics, particularly in the US that use folk music as an important source of evidence for historical and cultural studies. Not only can you sit back and listen to a tale but you can feel it through the language of the music. Check Seth out at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx-ZdSLaUOY

Research, Research

Am doing well with my timetable and now getting on with research. I know I have to be careful because I love it and sometimes don't know when to stop! I am also planning a trip to the National Archives this week, can't wait. I want to have enough detail to take the reader into the world that I am creating but ensure a balance. That means only using a fraction of the information that I collect.

Silent Movies

Went to Silent Clowns presented by Paul Merton last night. There were a few shorts and then a Buster Keaton feature - The Seven Chances. It was the perfect way to see the elements of a story. The main feature was eighty years old but still had the power to bring out emotions in an audience that is now so used to CGI.

Spotlight

This week a number of us gave our ten minute presentations on our publishing industry placements. My aim was to get across what I learnt in terms of my writing i.e. the fact that I have a long way to go and that good writing reflects a certain level of intelligence and maturity. I hope the presentation worked. It was good to see everyone again and hear about really positive experiences at agents, publishers and newspaper book reviewers. This module is the best on the course so far.

Parisian Inspiration

Have spent five days in Paris and really got into The Story by Robert McKee. I had promised myself that I would finish reading it before starting the novel plan but got carried away on croissants and wine and have now completely changed the two main characters and their back stories. Unfortunately am now back at work and having to put my mind on less creative activities for nine hours a day.

Summer Plans

As I work full time and study part time I know that I should use the Summer as effectively as possible. Me being me, I have written out a timetable for the next four months. It's rather detailed but at least it isn't in my head anymore. This month includes reading Story by Robert McKee and further background reading for the novel. I have already done eighteen months research but there are still some gaps. Of course, there will be some writing as well...