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~ The Occasional Blogger

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Tag Archives: Mystery

News Flash

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Paula Beavan in Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Australian Writers Centre, freelance writing, History, Kate Forsyth, Magic, Mystery, Oxford UK, rewriting, tourist, Travelling, writing, writing courses, writing retreat, writing workshop

Reader, I’m sorry for missing last week’s usual Monday offering. I have been so excited and totally forgot to share the post I had prepared for you. Note to self- I really must remember to use the Hootsuite thingy I pay for.

wild girl Bitter-Greens

Well, I will delay gratification and tell you about last weekend. I attended a writing course in Sydney. The course was History Mystery and Magic with Kate Forsyth. I wanted to go because, as some of you know, I have a first draft of a historical romance story that badly needs editing but so far I’ve been unable to edit it. That’s mostly because of fear. Fear of getting the historical elements right. Fear of sorting out the meandering plot. Fear of hating it when I go back.

Kate is a wonderful teacher and quickly ascertained where we were all at in our writing. Unfortunately for me, she pegged my reluctance to edit straight away and I found myself in the hot seat when it came to research and editing procrastination discussions. Kate modelled her comments, feedback and encouragement individually but in a way that was helpful to the whole class and not just to whom it was specifically addressed.

I was surprised by the number of student who were starting out. I had assumed the class would be packed with writers further down the writing track than I am. There were some, but most not. This turned out to be a real plus for me. Because Kate seemed to restructure the program to cover a broader spectrum of novel writing. Everything from narrative arcs and plots, researching effectively to basic editing tips. I so needed to hear each and every word she uttered. Kate has a uniquely engaging teaching style that includes everyone and covers every need that was revealed when we all introduced ourselves.

I could waffle all day about how good the class was, how much I got out of it, etc . . . but instead you can check out the Australian Writer’s Centre here. Kate’s website here, and I can only recommend you check it out yourself and save up your pennies and attend a course. You won’t regret it, I promise.

On the the really exciting news. I was so encouraged and inspired by Kate, that I’ve booked in to attend a week long intensive workshop and writing retreat with her in Oxford UK.

Oxford

Yes me! I know that previously I’d never even have considered doing anything so brave. Travelling overseas on my own wasn’t even something I considered. But Dave came for an after course chat and drink with some of our class mates and Kate and thought I should go after hearing Kate talk about the trip.

So, the deposit is paid, the insurance is sorted and I am going. Stay tuned for lots of exciting squee moments, and I’ll try not to drive you all crazy with my crazy blethering.

Are you a traveller? Do yo have any exciting or essential tips to give me? Please, feel free. I need all the encouragement I can get. More importantly, what sights should I simply not miss?

38 days, and counting down

23 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by Paula Beavan in Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

1820, Colonial Australia, Dunedoo, History, Homestead, Intrigue, love, Mystery, NaNoWriMo, New South Wales, Poems, Reading, Rhymes, Romance, writing

Hello reader, here in sunny Australia it is the 23rd of September. This means that there are only 38 days before NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, or November in the non literary world.

NaNoWriMo

That’s 38 days of reading, researching, plotting, planning, thinking and even dreaming.

Yes, I do dream about my characters. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with a scene having played out in a dream. Then the difficult bit is to get it recorded before I lose it.

This year I am planning on something a little different to the style I’ve written before. While still a romance, still a bit of a mystery, those being my favourites, Raven’s Ridge will be a mix if historical and contemporary, mystery and romance. And I can’t wait.

Serendipity seems to play a part in my my writing. A while back, ages really, I found a rhyme about crows, I just liked it so I saved it and forgot about it.

IMG_0083

I love the last line in particular and it became the premise for Raven’s Ridge.

In June I wrote a romantic romp that took my characters to a farm out near Dunedoo in central New South Wales. I fell in love the house I’d imagined and my sister, who read each chapter as I wrote it, did too. We both knew another story with the house as the setting had to be written.

Usually when I’m writing, I start with an idea, then build from there. Add characters, add in a mystery a romance and off it goes.

This time, I started with a house. I want to include our colonial history as I love reading and researching the early European settlement of Australia. So what better than to have a Colonial mystery unravelled in a contemporary setting. Perfect.

Homestead

So for the next few weeks I’ll be scribbling, drawing and reading. I have a pile of books and diaries and letters from the early part of the nineteenth century and have about six weeks to soak up the language, attitudes and history of 1820 Colonial New South Wales. Six week to shape my character’s attitudes, beliefs, likes and hates. Six weeks to learn about organic farming and agriculture. Six weeks to prepare for NaNoWriMo.

books

So reader, do you like a mystery? Does history fascinate you? I love both and am really looking forward to delving into the secret past of Raven’s Ridge and the Craven family’s hidden troubles. Does it sound like something you’d like to read? I hope so.

The Big Think

17 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by Paula Beavan in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Hunter River, Mystery, NaNoWriMo, Romance, Solomon Islands

Eeeek, has anyone else noticed that it’s September?? Not only that, but we’re halfway through September already!

You do realise reader what this means??? You don’t? Of course you do, it means NaNoWriMo is only SIX, 6, VI, got that? Six weeks away!

A decision needs to be made!

What will I write this November?

I have two story ideas kicking around and I can’t seem to make up my mind which one to go with.

Firstly, and probably my preferred idea is to nut out a sequel to On the River Bank, I think this is exciting and likely a good time to do it. If I do a first draft of a second novel while I’m still in the early edits of the first, I can plan the story arc and work the beginning toward the end. Well that’s the plan. I love Maddy and Daniel, and to be able to explore more of their life has great appeal. There’s just so much scope to write about as the history of the area is ripe for the picking. So maybe this should be the one to do for Nano.

Secondly, if I went with something completely different, I have a very rough idea for a contemporary Romantic Mystery called “Sweet Solomon” set in the Solomon Islands. It would be such fun to start on something new and poles apart from a historical romance. I like a bit of romance, so would like to keep that element alive in my writing. But hunting through the Honiara Markets for a contact, sliding in betel nut juice sounds like something I could really sink my teeth into.

I love both ideas. Neither are wrong. But what do you think reader? Which would you prefer?

Paula Beavan Author

Paula Beavan Author

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