Mala Naidoo's Blog, page 10
May 11, 2018
Story Ideas
As writers, students, readers, we often hear, ‘where do all these ideas come from?’ There is no short answer to that question. Write what you know is not a mandatory ingredient to write well, to pique your readers’ interest. Drawing from universal life experiences to create your work of fiction shapes characters and situations. At …
April 16, 2018
Do You Feel It?
No pain, no gain, no compassion, did the book you read make you feel, did it create a connection? Did you feel the fear, pain, joy, laughter, hope, and love or least one or perhaps two of these emotional triggers through the characters and events in your book? ‘In a dark time, the eye begins to …
March 10, 2018
Cover Story
The old adage ‘never judge a book by its cover,’ is a questionable one, in the world of publishing. Writers and publishers agree that a professional cover is the first point of reader attraction. The successive triggers that consolidate interest are, genre, blurb, knowledge of the author’s body of work etc. When …
February 5, 2018
Where do you go to for writing support?
Often writers feel alone while tapping out the stories that come tumbling out of imaginative worlds with a benevolent muse guiding the next brainwave. Writing starts out feeling like a lonely affair and the actual writing will always be a lone love affair with your writing tools – however, the number of support communities available …
January 27, 2018
What’s In Your Writing Toolshed?
A few months ago, towards the end of October 2017, this post detailed my definition of the essential steps to writing and publishing. Today’s post includes what works for me in organising, writing and editing my book. Organisation – Planning, Preparing, and Reminders Having to juggle many things the tools that work efficiently for …
January 4, 2018
Rear View, Front View
We hear and read much about goal setting with the onset of a New Year. The rear view must be kept in sight to negotiate the lift-off to the front view, to minimise errors and risks that need refining, with that backward glance reminder. https://youtu.be/W7LeO7bfpgU Looking back on the not so distant past year, …
December 16, 2017
So you want to write?
Why not? You will enjoy the process of creating the story you have always wanted to write. What’s holding you back? Fear and Time? Counteract fear by writing the best story you can. Temper your inner critic, the belief that you’re an imposter in the craft – avoid this or you become your own worst …
December 1, 2017
What have you done with your days?
It’s the summer of December 2017. Eleven months of the year are done and perhaps not quite dusted yet as we tie up loose ends to set us free for the holidays. Do you take stock of the year in your business of life? Do you tick off all that you have achieved and create …
November 22, 2017
Are You Grateful?
Every day should be Thanksgiving. Kindness, Thankfulness, and Generosity in equal parts, blended together, is the alchemy needed for harmony and peaceful coexistence. The words, ‘thank you,’ ‘I give thanks,’ ‘I’m grateful for,’ send out good vibrations to both the messenger and recipient of these encouraging words. Let’s take a look at wise words on …
November 16, 2017
Leading Lines
How often have we heard that first impressions are lasting? Does the same apply to the opening lines in novels? An attention-grabbing opening to a novel, not the head-standing, acrobatic, high energy stuff but a carefully crafted opening is a sure-fire way to spark the curiosity of the reader to continue reading. Leading the reader …
