On researching locations

A writer friend of mine is working on a psychological thriller, and she has been asked by an interested agent to set her novels in the Bournemouth area. At one point in the novel, she needs a car to drive off a cliff and into the sea, the driver drowned (or is he, dun dun dunnnn!)

Bournemouth, where this writer and I both live, has plenty of cliffs. The only trouble is, if you drove a car off them, you'd land on the prom. Or on the beach. You might well die, but your body won't be washed out to sea, and that's essential for my friend's plot.

So she needed somewhere near Bournemouth, where the character could realistically be visiting frequently, and where it would be possible to drive a car onto and over a cliff, into the sea.

Suggestions from other friends and a trawl of Google satellite images led her to Anvil Point, just west of Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck. It certainly looked promising - there's a lighthouse there, and a narrow drivable lane leading to it. But the only way to be certain it met my friend's requirements was to actually go there.

Which we did, today. It's under an hour's drive from Bournemouth if you use the Sandbanks chain ferry, then go across Purbeck to Swanage, up the hill the other side and out to Durlston Country Park. Here my satnav told me to pass through a gate across the road on which was a sign stating Authorised Vehicles Only and follow the lane to the lighthouse. We thought we'd better park up and walk, and try to come up with some reason why the character might be authorised to pass this point.

Anvil Point

At the lighthouse base there is a group of buildings that have been converted into holiday cottages. Perfect. The character is a plumber so could be employed refitting the bathrooms or something. He'd then be authorised to drive his vehicle along the lane that far. But would it be possible to drive or perhaps push a car into the sea here?

We were delighted to discover that it is (but no, we didn't actually test this!) The tarmacked lane ends at the lighthouse, then a rough path heads around the seaward side, joining the coast path. To one side there's a grassy slope which gets steeper and steeper before plunging over the cliff edge. I peered over and was pleased to see waves crashing against jagged rocks. Exactly what my friend needs. Her character: not so much, but he's fictional so he gets no say in this.

With a few photos taken, we were then free to wander back towards the country park for lunch in its lovely cafe - part of the old castle there.

A gorgeous day to go scouting for locations!

It was a lovely day out, the sun shone, the location was spot on, and my friend was left inspired to get this part of the book completed over the weekend. It makes such a huge difference, seeing a place in the flesh. You experience the sounds of gulls screeching, the scent of gorse blossom, the feel of the wind in your hair. All of which might end up in the written scene.

Meanwhile my two works in progress - one awaiting editing and the other at 14,000 words - didn't progress much at all today. You can't have everything!

Hints and tips for writers anyone?

I thought this month I would jot down a few of my thoughts about writing. I have to warn you, they are a pretty random group of quotes and hints I’ve tried to take to heart on my own writing journey,

Writing is age ignorant.

You can begin at any age. The important thing is sitting in the chair and writing - because that’s what you want and need to do. If finding time to do this is a problem, make a date with your diary and schedule in a time, or get up early, go to bed late.

The art of writing is all about the inspiration of the moment and the excitement of riding the wave of an idea. 

Elizabeth George in Write Away.

Every writer is different.

You need to follow your own path. Do not get hung up on what every other writer is doing, their 5* reviews or the way they work. Go at your own speed - but GO.

Story is king but you need structure:

Writing fiction is not ‘self-expression’ or ‘therapy’. Novels are for readers and writing them means the crafty, patient, selfless construction of effects. 

Sarah Waters

Edit, edit, edit, and . . .Edit

Yes, you will be thoroughly fed up with your story by the time you’ve been through it for what seems like the hundredth times but every edit will improve the story. Never, ever send a piece of writing out to an editor or publisher before you’re 100% satisfied that you’ve given it your best shot. 

Print out Elmore Leonard’s famous saying and pin it above your desk:

If it sounds like writing I re-write it   -  this one applies to dialogue too. Read it aloud.

Work through crises of confidence and know that every writer can suffer from them. The only way is to keep going.

Look after your back. Hours huddled over a keyboard do it no favours. Get a decent chair, make sure you stand up and move away from the keyboard for five minutes every hour.

Writing is a marathon rather than a sprint . Start writing the next book as soon as you can after writing The End on one. When you do land a publishing deal remember it’s a case of playing the long game! Very few authors obtain the dizzy heights of six figure advances - having a back list helps.

And my final tip? This one from Jack London:

‘You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.’

Anyone got any hints or tips to add?

Calligraphy For Beginners

Calligraphy For Beginners

This week’s post is about writing but not in the usual creative sense, rather the physical act of writing. At school, I was praised for producing neat work but over the years, as I use the computer more, my writing has become such a scrawl that even I struggle to read it! However, just before Christmas I had the opportunity to tick a wish off my bucket list – to attend a Calligraphy workshop.

All ready and waiting for me at Jenni Liandu's calligraphy workshop

CALLIGRAPHY VERSUS HAND-LETTERING

But what exactly is calligraphy?

Calligraphy, which is thought to have originated in China, is the art of producing decorative writing. Not to be confused with hand-lettering, which is a separate distinct art-form, where individual letters are drawn rather than written.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A CALLIGRAPHY CLASS?

My first surprise was that before we even lifted a pen, our teacher, Jenni Liandu, explained why the correct positioning of both arms and feet are important, so the scribe feels both grounded and relaxed. Who knew that posture was so important when writing? Next, we had to get to grips with exactly where our paper should sit on the table. It took me several attempts before I found the elusive ‘sweet spot’.

Then we were introduced to the penholder and nib, with its tines and vent. We tried our hand at light upstrokes and heavy downstrokes. It turns out calligraphy has a whole language of its own, which I loved.

WHO WAS THERE?

The participants at Jenni Liandu's beginner’s workshop were all female, however a quick Google search of top calligraphers shows that men love calligraphy too. There were a number of my fellow learners interested in completing Christmas craft projects, as well as a soon-to-be bride and her friend who planned on writing invitations and place cards. Most attending the class were newbies, although a couple of ladies were enjoying a refresher.

WHAT DID I LEARN?

Calligraphy requires patience, as it must be practiced slowly. It demands complete concentration. There was no space left to worry about my growing Christmas to-do list. There’s a meditative quality to thoughtfully creating letters, rather than dashing out an illegible scribble.

And who could resist these pretty penholders?

TRADITIONAL VERSUS MODERN CALLIGRAPHY

In traditional calligraphy, the scribe is bound by rules dictating that each letter must sit neatly on a line. Whereas the feel of modern calligraphy, the technique Jenni taught us, is much freer, allowing the writer to be imaginative when developing their style.

A colourful selection of inks to buy. I fell in love with Rose Gold!

WHERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CALLIGRAPHY?

Watching You Tube tutorials can be a great introduction to calligraphy when deciding whether or not it is something you wish to try.

Also, I was delighted to receive a copy of Kirsten Burke’s Secrets Of Modern Calligraphy as a Christmas gift which, as well as having lined pages to practice on, also has handy QR codes with links to helpful video tutorials. However, I would still recommend attending a workshop or class, if you can.

Kirsten Burke's - Secrets of Modern Calligraphy

I hope you have enjoyed this peek into the world of calligraphy but now I must rush … off to my practice session!

Happy writing!

Rae x

Celebrating 60 Years of the RNA

In the year Penguin Books was found not guilty of obscenity in the Lady Chatterley's Lover legal case, something else significant was happening in the romantic fiction world.

Frustration had been brewing for some time that the romance genre was not being shown the same respect awarded to other genres. It was often felt that romantic fiction writers were seen as the poor relation in the literary world and their readers treated with equal contempt.

Determined to celebrate and promote romantic fiction, and gain the respect the genre deserved, authors Denise Robins, Barbara Cartland, Elizabeth Goudge, Netta Muskett, Catherine Cookson and Rosamunde Pilcher founded The Romantic Novelists Association.

Over the decades, the RNA has grown in author membership. Today it also welcomes publishing professionals, booksellers, book reviewers and writers who are published in other media formats. The widening of their membership is not the only change the RNA has made in recent times, and it is thanks to its ability to constantly evolve that has helped to make it still relevant and popular today.

As well as hosting numerous workshops, talks and networking events, it also organises the Romantic Fiction Awards and the Industry Awards. Although celebrating current authors is important, the discovery of new talent is paramount for keeping the romantic genre thriving. In order to encourage new writers, the RNA runs the New Writers Scheme, which offers advice and support to unpublished writers. Places are limited so my advice is to apply early.

My first RNA event, where I was a finalist in the Joan Hessayon Award.

In recent years, the RNA has launched a range of initiatives and bursaries to encourage membership regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, social background, nationality, income level and disability. These inclusive initiatives helps provide diversity within the association and genre which both members and readers of romantic fiction can benefit from.

Romantic fiction is a wide genre as it includes many sub-categories which can appeal to a wide audience. Yet, arguably, the genre could still be shown a little more respect so the RNA's work is not done yet and they will continue to support and promote romantic fiction.

This year the RNA is celebrating their 60th anniversary and this February they are launching their first ever Romance Reading Month. Below is a brief timetable of what is ahead...

1st-7th February follow the #lovemylibaryweek #romancereadingmonth hashtag on Twitter as authors of romance share their library visits with you.

On the 9th February, the RNA is celebrating LGBQT+ books. So watch out for some great reads online.

A week later, on 14th February, the RNA will officially launch their Romantic Fiction Book Club on Facebook. It is open to readers and authors, so if you enjoy romantic fiction, why not give it a try?

Join in the fun with RNA members on 23rd February and share your review of a romantic read using the hashtag #Dimondreviewday

Finally, on the 23rd February, follow #romancereadingmonth #Iloveromance or/and #RNA60 as authors of romance will be sharing their favourite romantic reads via videoclips and pictures. I've done one, so watch out for it on Twitter or Facebook to see what my recommendation is!

These are only a few of the many events planned for February, so keep an eye out and follow @RNAtweets to join in the fun.

So what benefit have I received from being a member of the RNA? This year, in the 6th decade of the RNA, my 6th novel will be published. The cover reveal was on Tuesday, 11th February and it will be published on 24th March. Here it is!

My career as a traditionally published author began as a direct result of being a member of the RNA's New Writers' Scheme. It was their encouragement and the support from friends I had met through the association, which motivated me to submit my manuscript to agents and publishers again. As a result, I secured my first publishing contract. So Happy Birthday to the Romantic Novelists' Association, and thank you.

So while the Romantic Novelists' Association was taking its first breath in 1960, what happened to the censored book, Lady Chatterley's Lover? As a result of winning the court case, the original version of Lady Chatterley's Lover was no longer banned from public sale. Readers flocked to their bookshops and it ended up selling 200,000 copies in just one day. It has now become a classic.

Although the publicity surrounding the court case helped with the boost in sales, I think we can all agree that the majority of people enjoy a bit of romance in their lives... and escaping into the world of romantic fiction is one of the best places to find it.

By Victoria Cornwall