Simon Rose's Blog, page 39
March 3, 2023
Cool Links
Here’s an interesting article that appeared in The Guardian about boys and reading.
Also in The Guardian a while ago, author Chris D’Lacey shares his top writing tips for kids authors.
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
Jack London
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February 26, 2023
Learn How to Write Effective and Compelling Historical Fiction
Historical fiction combines the events of the past with characters and stories from the writer’s imagination.This course examines the art of writing historical fiction and the need to fully immerse yourself in a particular time period to make your storytelling more believable. Learn how to write effective, authentic and appealing historical fiction and how to turn your ideas into compelling stories. Understand what defines historical fiction and different historical time periods, create believable settings and plausible characters and learn how research plays a crucial role in the creation of your novel.The course involves assignments and writing exercises, and also deals with aspects of the writing process. The course also examines ways to research publishing houses where you can submit your work, cover letters, synopses and sample chapters.Learn more here on my website.The post Learn How to Write Effective and Compelling Historical Fiction appeared first on Simon Rose.
February 22, 2023
Writing Workshops and Study Guides
Writing Workshops and Study Guides
My writing guide entitled Where Do Ideas Come From? examines how my novels The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, The Clone Conspiracy, The Emerald Curse, The Heretic’s Tomb, The Doomsday Mask, The Time Camera, and The Sphere of Septimus can be used to create workshops and creative writing exercises for the classroom.
These include writing time travel stories, creating superheroes and comic books, inventing imaginary worlds and fantasy kingdoms, exploring fascinating historical eras, imagining future technological developments, and examining ancient mysteries and civilizations.
Where Do Ideas Come From? is available as a paperback and as an ebook and provides suggestions and recommendations for teachers developing classroom projects based on the books.
Please contact me directly if you have any questions or require further information.
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February 19, 2023
Cool Links
Looking for advice from famous authors? Check out these twenty tips from Stephen King.
And here are a few more tips or rather seven things to avoid when writing your novel.
“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”
George Orwell
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February 16, 2023
The Benefits of a Writing Coach
A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions and receive constructive feedback. They act as a guide as you build your career as a professional writer. A coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, regain momentum or make a start on a new project.
My program helps you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. I can be your coach for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and expectations.
I’m very flexible regarding your own unique requirements in areas where you feel that you need the most help, but examples of topics that can be covered include character development, dialogue and format, editing and revision, story structure and plot, pacing your story, realistic settings, dramatic beginnings, and cliffhanger endings. We can also examine submitting work, the publishing world, and marketing and promotion.
You can also learn more about the writing and publishing process, including where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories, choosing names for characters, the importance of historical research if your novel is set in a different era, the role of editing and revision, marketing and promotion, and more, in The Children’s Writer’s Guide, The Working Writer’s Guide, The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2, and School & Library Visits for Authors & Illustrators.
The writing of time travel stories and historical fiction is covered in The Time Traveler’s Guide, and fantasy and magic in Exploring the Fantasy Realm. The study guides for my novels are featured in Where do Ideas Come From?
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February 12, 2023
Black Dawn – “After finishing book one and two, I was not disappointed.”
“This is the third book in the “ShadowZone” series written by one of my favourite young adult authors. After finishing book one and two, I could not wait to start this one, I was not disappointed.”
In a dark parallel world, following attacks by its most determined opponents, the Ministry has been forced to change its plans. Yet the ruthless Director-General is prepared to sacrifice anyone to achieve an entirely new beginning, no matter what the cost. In a deadly race against time, as events spiral out of control, Ben and Charlie must risk their lives in a desperate attempt to save two worlds from destruction.
Black Dawn, along with the other novels in the series, Shadowzone and Into The Web, is available as a paperback and ebook. Learn more here on my website.
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February 8, 2023
Into The Web – “I could not wait to start this one.”
“This is the second book of this series written by one of my favourite young adult authors. After finishing book one, I could not wait to start this one, I was not disappointed a great story with good character structure and as usual well written. The storyline kept me focused until the very end where it left me wanting to read the next book in the series.”
On a doomed version of Earth, the sinister schemes of the Ministry are moving ever closer to completion, with dire consequences for the inhabitants of two worlds. For Ben and Charlie, an unlikely alliance, unexpected reunions, and the mysterious prophecy of the Chosen One offer a glimmer of hope, with the ever-present prospect of betrayal, as they embark on an unpredictable journey into the unknown.
Into The Web, along with the other novels in the series, Shadowzone and Black Dawn, is available as a paperback and ebook. Learn more here on my website.
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February 4, 2023
Shadowzone – “A great read … Highly recommend this series!”
“Time travel, alternate worlds, and societal sub-cultures are blended into a great plot, and a gripping and relevant read. The environmental stewardship aspect of this story echoes our current day challenges, as do the almost prescient references to a dangerous virus. Characters were well drawn and the reader is cheering for their success. The three books in the series flow smoothly together. A great read for middle school ages and up, to both engage interest and build vocabulary. Highly recommend this series!”
While watching intense flashes of lightning during a violent storm, Ben experiences mysterious and disturbing visions of another world, one very different from his own. In the chain of events that follow, Ben encounters Charlie, a girl from a dark version of Earth, a planet doomed by the effects of environmental catastrophe, where the leaders will stop at nothing to complete their deadly mission.
Shadowzone, along with the other novels in the series, Into The Web and Black Dawn, is available as a paperback and ebook. Learn more here on my website.
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January 31, 2023
The Children’s Writer’s Guide
The Children’s Writer’s Guide examines how you can get started as a writer, create time and space to pursue your craft and deal with lack of motivation and writers block. Topics covered include where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories, choosing names for characters that are appropriate to the story, the importance of historical research if your novel is set in a different era, writing science fiction and fantasy, and the use of magic in stories for children.
The guide examines the role of editing and revision and how to deal with what is often the inevitable process of rejection, at least until good fortune comes your way. I also recount some of my experiences with marketing and promotion, such as book launches and in-store signings, websites, blogs, and social media, and discusses presentations, workshops and author-in-residence programs at schools and libraries.
You can also learn more about writing for children and young adults in The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2.
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January 28, 2023
Learn How to Write Effective and Compelling Historical Fiction
Historical fiction combines the events of the past with characters and stories from the writer’s imagination.This course examines the art of writing historical fiction and the need to fully immerse yourself in a particular time period to make your storytelling more believable. Learn how to write effective, authentic and appealing historical fiction and how to turn your ideas into compelling stories. Understand what defines historical fiction and different historical time periods, create believable settings and plausible characters and learn how research plays a crucial role in the creation of your novel.The course involves assignments and writing exercises, and also deals with aspects of the writing process. The course also examines ways to research publishing houses where you can submit your work, cover letters, synopses and sample chapters.Learn more here on my website.The post Learn How to Write Effective and Compelling Historical Fiction appeared first on Simon Rose.
