Roz Morris's Blog, page 10

When you use your life as your material – essayist Joanne Nelson

When you use your life as your material, there are certain hazards. What do you do about the other people who feature in the stories? Do you make them recognisable? Do you change them? What about their names? Joanne Nelson wrote about this in Brevity when her first essay collection was published, This Is How… Continue reading When you use your life as your material – essayist Joanne Nelson

11 takeaways to create a writing career from random and unpromising beginnings

On this blog I’ve interviewed many writers about how they made their writing career. I’ve never answered that question myself, but last month, I had this email: I am a junior in high school. I am writing in the hope that you might help me with a school project. The objective is to find resumes… Continue reading 11 takeaways to create a writing career from random and unpromising beginnings

A midsummer happening

A midsummer happening, stuck in Summertime, I'm judging a big award, Where I'm From, A little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/d0c5a73441b0/a-mid...

OMG I wrote a poem – where I’m from with Alyson Shelton

I’m not a poet. Certainly I read poetry. I respect the medium fiercely. I am fascinated by how poets do what they do. And now I’ve accidentally found myself tasked with the writing of one, for a series called Where I’m From. Where I’m From is a blog and podcast series by essayist, graphic novelist,… Continue reading OMG I wrote a poem – where I’m from with Alyson Shelton

‘I was terrified just before it was released’ – Anne Pinkerton @AAPinkerton on writing a grief memoir

Publishing a memoir can be a very exposing experience. Or it can be a relief. Maybe both. Anne Pinkerton certainly knows this – she’s just released Were You Close? A sister’s quest to know the brother she lost. I began by asking what that was like, to know that strangers are exploring your life and… Continue reading ‘I was terrified just before it was released’ – Anne Pinkerton @AAPinkerton on writing a grief memoir

Writing is a muddle – how to enjoy the muddle

If you read my newsletter you’ll know I’m fond of horse riding. And sometimes a moment from the horsing life can bring an unexpected realisation about writing. I was riding in the woods with a friend. We had an unplanned detour that involved scrambling up a bank. My friend laughed that her horse seemed to… Continue reading Writing is a muddle – how to enjoy the muddle

Your first pages: 5 book openings critiqued by @agentpete @mattschodcnews and me!

I’ve just guested again at Litopia, the online writers’ colony and community. Each week they have a YouTube show, Pop-Up Submissions, where five manuscripts are read and critiqued live on air by literary agent Peter Cox @agentpete and a guest, or sometimes two. This time the other guest was one of Litopia’s longtime members, Matt… Continue reading Your first pages: 5 book openings critiqued by @agentpete @mattschodcnews and me!

Look what you made me do

Look what you made me do. More accidental poetry - at Alyson Shelton's Where I'm From. Remembering artist Russ Nicholson and the Hole In The World. A little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/575fe8d2a885/look-...

All going somewhere wonderful – discussing creative energy with @AndrewVerlaine

I’m really glad Dave and I kept our DVD player. If you watch movies and boxsets on DVD you get something that isn’t usually available on streamed versions – the extras, with interviews about the making of the piece, or the casting, or the design, or the adaptation for the screen. Sometimes they’re a bit… Continue reading All going somewhere wonderful – discussing creative energy with @AndrewVerlaine

It’s okay to be who we are – novelist Cynthia Newberry Martin @catchingdays

With three novels releasing in a 12-month period, Cynthia Newberry Martin is at a real turning point in her life. She began the novels in the 1990s and at long last they’re ready for readers. But she’s already a strong presence in the writing world, thanks to a blog series she started in 2009 –… Continue reading It’s okay to be who we are – novelist Cynthia Newberry Martin @catchingdays