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This month we have expert advice from Esther Newton on making your true-life tale stand out, Ten Top Tips advises on twists to avoid and Useful Websites is as useful as ever.
Hello Dear Readers,
The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us and so is Happiness Happens Month. I have to say this is one of my favourite events, as the three aims of the month; recognize and express happiness; to listen to others talk about their happiness and not to rain on other people's parades – are certainly worthwhile. Especially in this age of terror this, murder that, death here, famine there and so on. The event is organised by the Secret Society of Happy People – although they’re really not that secret anymore – and their mission is:
“To help people recognize more happiness and encourage them to talk about it. Side-effect: since happiness is contagious if more people are recognizing and talking about it then more people will be happy. And ultimately, our world needs more happy people.”
And, their lovely motto is:
“If you're happy and you know it ... tell somebody! If someone else is happy and they know it ... listen!”
Perhaps you could use happiness as the theme for your poetry competition entry? So, onto business! This month we have expert advice from Esther Newton on making an editor sit up and take notice of your true-life tale. Ten Top Tips tells you which plot twists to avoid if you want to stand a chance of being published. Student Successes are as inspiring as ever, plus there’s something from the forums that I think will make you giggle.
Useful Websites features one to give you inspiration, with thought provoking debates about human kind and the 21st century, one that’s just fun and creative and one that’ll let you see who’s a lazy journalist!
You can take part in this month’s unusual event from the comfort of your own home. It’s an online course from Writing Our Way Home in using writing as spiritual practise. It is run by a published writer and a Buddhist priest and should help you see writing in a whole new light. The cost is £50 with the option of extra 1:1 tutorials for £30, but it seems the price is negotiable. It’s a new way to use your writing and I’d be interested to know if anyone signs up and what they think of it.
Do you fancy writing a monologue and getting the chance to see if performed? Insignificant Theatre is running a Speakeasy Night of monologues and want your efforts. They need ‘short monologues (between 1-4 minutes) on any topic as well as any longer pieces (around 30 minutes and ideally not a monologue but with some kind of dialogue) that you may have for a possible rehearsed reading.’ You should email them for consideration by August 8th and the theme is Revolution.
Happy writing!
Shelley
P.S Don’t forget our Poetry Writing Competition is now accepting entries!
