Short Story Course: Writing Short Stories That Sell
This is the title of the course I led at the Writers' Holiday at Caerleon in July 2011.
I owe so much to Caerleon. I first went there six years ago as a struggling writer and was so inspired by a short story course given by Lynne Hackles (see Links page) that I went home, started writing and have been selling steadily ever since. I also owe my Ideas' Store column in Writers' Forum to Caerleon as, four years ago, I gave a talk there about how I find ideas for my stories and found I had way too much material. So I contacted the editor with an idea for an article, suggested that, as I had so much material, it might make a series - and have been writing for him ever since.
The chance to tutor a course at Caerleon really was going full circle for me and I loved every minute of it. I was so lucky, too, to have such a lively intelligent group who made the whole experience so rewarding - not to mention fun!Porridge? What's the Big Idea?
You've heard of Chicken Soup for the Soul but have you heard about Porridge for the Writer's Soul? Remember the story of the Magic Porridge Pot? How this poor widow and her children were saved from starvation by finding a magic porridge pot? And how the family would eat its fill, clean the pot and find next morning it was full of lovely nourishing porridge again?
Wouldn't it be great if there was a magic porridge pot for writers? One that's full of ideas and inspiration to set your writer's soul singing?
Well, there is. My workshop, held near the beautiful cathedral city of Wells in Somerset, will explore various ways to find ideas and keep them coming - and, just as important, tips on how to turn those ideas into stories.
The workshop is strictly limited in numbers (no less than 4, no more than 6) and costs £15 per head.
If you're interested in dipping into my magic porridge pot (no porridge but great biscuits and lots of laughs) please get in touch via the Contact Me page.