I started blogging a couple of years with the intent to break out of my newspaper-trained writing style. I wanted to get braver about what I wrote about, but also experiment with different styles. I suppose you could say I knew I needed to write more to find my voice. I also needed to put myself out there for others to critique.
Today, I am going to my first writing workshop at the SA Writers’ Centre with one of my literary crushes Anita Heiss. I am beyond nervous and excited. I’ve decided it’s time I started getting serious about my novel writing dreams. First stop is educating myself about the craft of fiction writing. Next, is finding myself a mentor who I could ask for guidance and advice. And lastly, the most important and hardest part, is to write.
I have the beginnings of five manuscripts on my computer – one of which I’ve written 30,000 words. I wrote those words two years. Since I had my third child I stopped and instead turned to blogging. And I also entered a New York run short story competition where I got to the final rounds. I’ve found it easier to write short pieces in between the kids demanding my attention, rather than immerse myself in a novel. But now, I know it’s time to redirect my energies.
I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at the first few paragraphs of one of my manuscripts. Of course, these words could all change, but here goes it:
Kate wiped the sweat from her chair, erasing the imprint of her thighs on the cheap plastic seat. When she was younger she hardly left a mark, now her thighs squished together, leaving wet smudges where she’d sat. She bowed her head with embarrassment, careful not to meet the eyes of the other bus passengers, and slowly edged her way down the aisle. The bus felt much hotter than the forecasted 33 degrees. It was summer in Australia; you could be forgiven for wishing the afternoons away. At least the sea breezes would sweep through the suburbs in the early evening taking some of the heat with them.
Kate had even more reasons to wish her days away. She was broke, single and facing having to move back home with her mum if she didn’t get her shit together. She loved her mum, but living with her now would be a huge step backwards – an admittance of defeat. This job, was not only her last resort, it was her dream. She was determined to ace the interview. Failure was not an option.
She stepped from the bus onto the sizzling hot pavement. Her foot slipped sideways off her flip-flop as it hit the ground, causing her skin to touch the side of the gutter. “Fuck,” Kate cried out, a little too loudly. “Fuck,” she repeated, this time under her breath. It was damn hot.
She’d put her heels on, just before heading into the Star Newspaper’s offices, give her mousy-brown hair one last spritz of hairspray to flatten any rogue frizzy bits, apply a shock of bright red lipstick on her rosebud lips and check for any sand on her cheap black suit. Sand came with the territory of beachside living. She hated it and as soon as she got her new job she was going to move to the city. Her life was about to change, in many ways. She could feel it.
So, there goes it – the first of many words. Now, to get back into it.
In the meantime, are there any writers out there who can offer some advice on courses and reading material to help a first time novelist on her way? And is there anyone who would be happy to mentor a slightly neurotic, needy, mum of three?
bigwords x
Great writing! I would buy that book 🙂
Good luck with the workshop.
Oh, enjoy! I love Anita – love her positivity and her attitude.
And… I think you’re also on the right track!
Good Luck Bianca, i’ve just signed with a literary agent, and it’s been an exciting, nerve-wracking, soul-searching time! Workshops are fabulous and a mentor is great too – I’ve done both. But it’s also invaluable to join a writing group that meets regularly (once a month) and gives you not just honest feedback, but support & understanding. The writing process is weird & the only people who get that are other writers. And boy, will there be lots of words! Enjoyed your paragraphs above, so keep going.
YOU are amazing. Thanks for having a blog I can love reading.
Keep writing! We need to know what happens to Kate. Does she get the job? Does she move to the city? Hanging for more! XX Gillian
Well done Bianca! The first words of many. My only advice? Keep writing. It’s the only way forward.
Fantastic. You really have a brilliant way with words! i look forward to reading the full book!
Snap! I’ve decided something similar. In the past two days have booked myself into a creative writing course, taken leave from my blog and getting ready to write more.
Good luck, Bianca!
I loved it! Really loved it. You write so beautifully, the description of the sweat on the seat really stayed with me. I’ve just joined a writing group here, i’m not sure if it helps with writing but it definitely fuels my creative soul just by hanging out with some like minded people every couple of weeks. Writing exercises are great. I can’t wait to hear all about your workshop. Kxx
Riveting piece in just a few paragraphs! Drew me in. I used to write descriptively, along these lines, when I was younger, a requirement for school creative writing compositions. Not saying I was any good but I remember feeling it flowed much more freely than now. The reality of grown up living seems to have squashed a lot of that imagination. Your piece has made me wonder if I might now be able to dig through the adultness and find those stories somewhere again. Finally, just wondering if “admittance of defeat” was a use use of the term “admission of defeat”?
Hi Bianca, I am a bit the same. I have the beginnings of a novel on my pc, but I have put that aside for my new blog, cityguyslife.com. I have done 2 great courses at the Sydney writer’s centre, on creative writing. They do it online as well! I highly recommend it. http://www.writerscentre.com.au/onlinecreativewriting.htm
Regds,
@sydneycityguy
Read Stephen King’s “On Writing”…A Memoir (Hodder & Stoughton) and keep writing!
Loved it – really draw me in! And, as another commentor said, the imagery of the sweaty thighs on the plastic seat was so evocative; it took me back to riding the bus to school when I was in high school. What a wonderful start. Keep writing Bianca! I’m not a published writer, but I’m working on it. I have attended two workshops at the SA Writers’ Centre (writing picture books) and learned so much. I’m also part of a small writing group, and that has helped my writing and the self-editing process enormously. I work with two women who are just as keen as I am to share ideas and become better writers. I’m on a somewhat similar path to your own, I’ve been working in PR for 13 years and made the decision, just recently, following a cancer diagnosis, to throw caution to the wind and pursue my dream of making a living from writing picture books. Do keep writing Bianca, please. I so enjoy your blog, and your way with words.
**drew me in**
Bianca, I find you so inspirational. Everything you write draws me in. As a relatively new blogger (marketer by trade), I try to learn so much from the way you write, describe, and give your reader a connection with a moment in your life. Cannot wait to read your novel. I love it already. Amy x
Yes, I remember Maggie Alderson rec this Stephen King book at her book launch ( I was there purely to add a bum to seat and for free champers for my friend who owned the bookshop) in Oct 2012 to a would be writer in the audience.
Good on you! i look forward to hearing about publishing contracts.
Oh wow. That’s a great few paragraphs. Keep going! I don’t know any mentors for you, but short courses and a writing group keep me chugging. Short story writing is about all I’ve been able to manage with kids too so I’ll be looking here for ideas on how to take that next step. Good Luck..