A Little About My Writing Ambitions

I always wanted to write a best-seller, especially in the horror/thriller genre, but after exploring every form of writing possible while studying my Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing, I've found that being able to produce a well-written essay or successful poem provides the same level of satisfaction. It doesn't matter what I write, as long as I write it well.

Writing for children is the hardest, yet most rewarding, albeit not in a monetary sense. Yes, it's a harder market to crack, but a child's enthusiasm for a story I've written holds a magic that adults just don't possess.

The most important thing for me right now is that everything I write makes a difference to someone's life. Whether it's successful copy for an advertisement, a poem for a special event or a bigger project, my goal is to make a difference with carefully crafted words.

Friday, November 12, 2010

I've been pretty quiet on both blogs throughout October. 

That's because I've been busy gaining some valuable editing experience and finishing off this year's assignments. As everyone winds down for the year I'm pushing on with trying to build a reputation in the writing and editing industry. I even edited my first memoir!

I've had my publishing logo created and my Poetic Puppets logo is only a few weeks away. It won't be long before I start investigating the best options for a website.

My ventriloquist book has arrived and I've been busy scrawling notes on ideas to entertain the kindergarten kids. The closer we get to launching Poetic Puppets the more exciting it gets and the more nervous I get!

But for now, I must get back to refining my Short & Twisted submission and mastering InDesign.
Submissions for the 2011 Short & Twisted closes 30 November, so if you want to see your name in print and can write a great poem or story with a twist at the end, visit Celapene Press before you run out of time.

This year I've submitted a couple of twisted black and white photos and a story with a twist at the end.

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

I received an honourable mention in the Writer's Weekly 2010 Spring 24-hour Short Story Competition. 

The comp is run four times a year and costs USD5. Entries are limited to 500 people.

The link for anyone interested is http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php

Once entered, you receive no further information on what you're writing about until the day of the comp (obviously you're given the date of the comp). They email the topic and word count at midday Saturday and you must write it and submit it before midday Sunday. This is US time, so you receive the email at 3am (Melbourne, Australia non-daylight saving time) Sunday morning and must submit before 3am Monday morning. 

It is a brilliant way to get the creative juices flowing and produce some interesting short stories. 

Good luck!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Poetic Puppets

Well my couple of large monkey puppets has turned into two monkey puppets, three bear puppets, a chicken, a monster and a dog puppet. Most of them have names and personalities and I'm slowly getting together clothes and accessories that match their personalities. 

A little presumptuous when I haven't started working with the kindergartens yet, but my children's kindergarten director liked my proposal and is more than happy to do a free trial run early next year to help me iron out the wrinkles and even if it does flop, my kids love the puppets. 

As I practise ventriloquism and perfect each puppet's personality, they become part of the family and the kids are always laughing at them.  I'm considering creating stories based on the puppet's adventures in the future (outside of what they do with the kindergarten kids).

Friday, July 02, 2010

I received a rejection email from a publisher for Rosie's Hollow. No one likes receiving rejections, but it's important to take on board any feedback (something that is very hard to get from a busy publisher) and polish your story up ready to send it to the next unsuspecting publisher. This was the feedback I received. 

'I really liked the concept for your book, and I could see the potential of your story. Unfortunately we publish very few picture books per year, and yours is not suitable for our list at this time. But I do wish you well with finding a home for your story.'

It's not a lot of feedback, but I like to think that it means I do have something of value in my story, but it needs a little work. Call my an optimist, but the fact they liked the concept and could see its potential means a lot, so I'll revamp Rosie's Hollow and see how I get on elsewhere. 

Friday, June 04, 2010

I've been busy ordering a couple of large monkey puppets and putting together a proposal for my local kindergarten. The aim is to introduce one of the puppets to the children via a short ventriloquist act (yes, by me!) and then leave him with the class so they can each take him home and teach him something new based on the teacher's chosen theme. This might be healthy eating and exercise, helping others, or multi-cultural experiences, etc. At the end of it I will take the book that they've been filling with words and pictures from their experiences and will create a story book in the puppet's voice. Each child will receive a copy of the book. 

I'll be doing the first one for free so I can iron out any wrinkles in the process and receive some valuable feedback from the teacher. This will never be a big money spinner as kindergartens can't afford to pay a suitable fee to cover freelance writing rates, design fees for the book and the printing costs. It is to allow me to continue working with the children, learning what they get excited about and what makes them laugh, so I can produce outstanding picture book stories.

Children are the hardest critics, but their delight when you get it right is the most rewarding. 

Here is a picture of Benson, the first to arrive, ready for ventriloquist practice. Please excuse his nakedness, he's still deciding what his preferred wardbrobe will be.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The 2010 Short & Twisted is available from June 1. 

To order a copy go to http://www.celapenepress.com.au/short_and_twisted.html after June 1. 

There is a limited number of books printed, so don't tarry or you'll miss out.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Work In Progress

I've been working on a few picture book stories, all of which contain a native Australian bird as the protagonist. I recently submitted my favourite of the three completed ones to a publisher and wait to see if I will be pinning another rejection slip to my noticeboard or chilling a bottle of champagne. 

I'm also in the planning stages of a series of children's chapter books. As there is a lot to nut out in this series all I can tell you at the moment is that it involves a chest full of dress-up clothes, magical stones, an evil magician, and a temperamental fairy. 


Volunteer Writers

As I near the end of my diploma studies (Sorry, I forgot to mention I completed the Certificate IV at the end of 2008) I'm finding myself feeling less satisfied with my studies. It's not that I'm not still learning; it's because I'm feeling myself needing to take flight into the world of writing and learn the things I can't learn in a classroom. 

To help build my writing resume I joined CSL (Centre for Sustainability Leadership) as a volunteer writer. I transcribe interviews from the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit and create short (5-7 mins) inspirational scripts for their online teaching course.  I'm enjoying the challenge and the producer is not only happy with my work, she's agreed to be a referee on my writing CV. 

I've since suggested to the course co-ordinator at GippsTAFE that a non-fiction script writing course might be beneficial and was pleased that her response was that it was definitely a consideration.  I only hope it's available before I finish the diploma.


Sorry It's Been So Long

I apologise for the large gap in postings. I've had a few small successes in the last two years, which all add to my writing resume. One of my poems was published in 'Short & Twisted' in 2009 and I will have 2 mini-shorts published in 'Short & Twisted' this year.


Another of my poems was a finalist in the Moartz 2009 Take a Bow Writing Competition.


All small accomplishments, but we all have to start somewhere.

The star of my first children's story, 'Magpie's Nest'.

The star of my first children's story, 'Magpie's Nest'.
Magpie returns to the tallest tree in the park to discover his nest and the branch where it sat gone!