Works Cited

The Beginning

From being a child I have always kept a diary, this has helped me a great deal since I starting writing.  Mark Twain said,

‘Write about what you know.’

Memories of childhood and dreams I have had have been great sources for good stories. And this is something I have always found myself being drawn to in most of my writing.

The project I have chosen to do is a set of snapshots, a memoir of my life growing up with elderly parents.

I aim to have the first three chapters, a synopsis and pitch. I will send this to agents and smaller publishing houses in an attempt at getting them published. Added to this I would like to finish, if possible the whole book.

‘Let me tell you a story. No, wait, one’s not enough. I’ll begin again… (Gaiman, 2006)

I have always found it easier to sit down and write fiction. To start any piece with a blank canvas, to create from nothing, gets the synapses shooting with characters and plots.

But to write a memoir exposes you, strips you down to your marrow and shows the world the building blocks that are YOU. I hear people say, ‘There is a story in everyone,’ and to a point that is true.

But is it a plot that is commercial is another question completely.

Gaiman, N., 2006. Fragile Things; Short Stories and Wonders. s.l.: Headline.

Born in the change, a memoir.

Born in the change

 

 

Since handing in my last project at university, I have just realised something.

Now I can really settle down to writing and finishing my memoir book.

So I have set myself the task of one story a week.

This may song strange, but as the weeks go on I will explain exactly how these stories feature in my book.

So hello to my new writing life and I hope you will follow.

Copy editor

Very few authors do not require the services of a book copy editor to tidy their manuscript. That’s why every publishing house in the country sends each author’s manuscript through both a copy editor and a proofreader before publication.

If your book (ebook or print) is to be clear, accessible, interesting, memorable and effective, the language needs to be of a good standard. Some authors need only minimal support, others need more intensive copy-editing; but all authors, no matter how accomplished, experienced or skilled, can benefit from a copy editor’s input.

 

Successful editing depends on a good relationship with the writer. To reach the goal of a readable, successful document, both the editor and the writer need to work as a team, unified in reaching this goal. This goal is jeopardised if writers view the editor as a ‘problem’. To prevent this, the editor needs effective communication to deal with individuals and groups working on a writing project.

Four key communication skills are:

1. Active listening

This means concentrating on what the speaker means and checking information through paraphrasing and asking probing questions, such as ‘What do you mean by…’.

2. Confidence

Editors need to demonstrate that they are confident in their abilities without becoming aggressive with writers.

3. Consideration

Editors may become so intent with changes that they forget the writer’s sense of professionalism is involved. Writers themselves may find it difficult to separate criticisms about the writing from criticisms about the person.

 

 

4. Nonverbal strategies

Editors can underline their authority by using effective nonverbal strategies, such as environment (e.g. The setting of an editing conference), dress, and facial, voice and other bodily cues.

Perhaps the biggest problem writers face, when editing their own work, is simply getting too close. Even when holding the questions listed above in your mind, writers can still find it just too hard to detach themselves. But this is understandable, in fact I would go as far as saying this is essential. Just how a writer detaches themselves from the tangle of their own narrative is hard to explain and I suspect it is very personal skill.

• Is the book’s organisation and content suitable for the intended audience, medium, market, and purpose? [Structural]
• How can the book’s meaning be clarified, the flow improved and the language smoothed? [Stylistic]
• Have you ensured the correctness, consistency, accuracy, and completeness of the document? [Copy]

 

The essence of any COPY edit is grammar and spelling but this is NOT an edit. An edit is so much more. It is important that a writer avoids becoming obsessed with spelling. Yes, spelling is important, and yes you must be as accurate as possible. However, grammar is just part of the puzzle. A good edit consists of all three questions listed above – spelling is just one aspect.

HOLD ONTO YOUR BLANKETS

Hold onto your blankets

Every family has its little quirts, with some people they are musicians, others sporty.

In my family it was dreaming. We were experts. I know everyone dreams, but we did it big time. The only one who seemed immune was Dad, good thing too as it could end up going pear shaped.

I was told when my brother was small he watched a film called, ‘The Beast with five fingers.’ This left a lasting impression on him that was acted out in his sleep.

Dad once told me he heard Arnold shouting, so he went to his room. Arnold was on the floor with a blanket and was hitting the offensive arm with a book. When Dad investigated he found my brother covering his own arm with the blanket, and he was hitting himself with the book. Another time Dad saved my brother from throwing the arm out of his window. You have guessed it , he was actually throwing his own arm out. Dad always came at the right time, otherwise I would have been minus one sibling.