Pauline Rowson's Blog, page 77
May 31, 2011
Can creative writing be taught?
There are a number of creative writing courses popping up, some at Universities, some even being run by Literary Agents and Publishers and others by authors, including myself on 18 June at Quay Arts Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight, when I will be instructing on How to Write a Crime Novel. But can creative writing really be taught?
All writers approach their work differently so there is no right or wrong way of doing it. Some plan their novels from start to finish others improvise as they go along. I tend to do a mixture of both. I have a rough idea of the plot and a few characters sketched out then then I get cracking on the novel and wait for the characters to start talking and moving about, which in turn drives the plot until a shape begins to emerge. On courses you can pass on tips and the technicalities of constructing characters and plot, you can provide guidance, inspiration and motivation. You can give advice on writing dialogue and pass on the tricks of the trade, but the only way to 'learn' writing is to write, and to read. Reading helps you to understand what shapes novels.
I have never attended a creative writing course but my whole career has been spent writing. I have written advertising copy, brochures, web sites, press releases, articles, business books, training material and everything in between!
In doing so I have learned about the nuances of language, how switching the order of two words can change their meaning, the impact of how words look on a page and how they sound when read aloud. I enjoy experimenting with words in my crime novels. And while you can learn technique, no one can create a 'voice' for you, that only comes with practice and experimentation. You also need patience and persistence and the discipline to sit at a desk for hours on end and put words on to a computer screen or on paper. Then you need the critical ability and ruthlessness to edit and polish.
Above all though you need to enjoy the art of writing and creating for your own sake, no one else's. If publication comes that may be a bonus for you but it may not be essential to every writer. It is hard to believe but, yes, some people do write for pleasure. I'm looking forward to meeting the delegates on my writing course on 18 June and discussing the writing process with them.
For more information visit http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
All writers approach their work differently so there is no right or wrong way of doing it. Some plan their novels from start to finish others improvise as they go along. I tend to do a mixture of both. I have a rough idea of the plot and a few characters sketched out then then I get cracking on the novel and wait for the characters to start talking and moving about, which in turn drives the plot until a shape begins to emerge. On courses you can pass on tips and the technicalities of constructing characters and plot, you can provide guidance, inspiration and motivation. You can give advice on writing dialogue and pass on the tricks of the trade, but the only way to 'learn' writing is to write, and to read. Reading helps you to understand what shapes novels.
I have never attended a creative writing course but my whole career has been spent writing. I have written advertising copy, brochures, web sites, press releases, articles, business books, training material and everything in between!
In doing so I have learned about the nuances of language, how switching the order of two words can change their meaning, the impact of how words look on a page and how they sound when read aloud. I enjoy experimenting with words in my crime novels. And while you can learn technique, no one can create a 'voice' for you, that only comes with practice and experimentation. You also need patience and persistence and the discipline to sit at a desk for hours on end and put words on to a computer screen or on paper. Then you need the critical ability and ruthlessness to edit and polish.
Above all though you need to enjoy the art of writing and creating for your own sake, no one else's. If publication comes that may be a bonus for you but it may not be essential to every writer. It is hard to believe but, yes, some people do write for pleasure. I'm looking forward to meeting the delegates on my writing course on 18 June and discussing the writing process with them.
For more information visit http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
May 23, 2011
Had a great time at Crimefest, lovely to meet readers and fellow crime writers there
I'm back from having a great time at Crimefest 2011 and was delighted to meet fans of my DI Horton crime novels and my thrillers from as far afield as the USA, Australia as well as from the UK. It was also a pleasure to meet up with my fellow crime writers and my publisher.
After arriving in Bristol at 7.15 am after a very early start from the south coast of England, I was in good time to meet up with my fellow panel members for our panel event, the first one on the programme for that day at 9am on 20 May called Operation Petticoat: Jobs For The Girls. I discovered that the title of all the programme events were named after some of Cary Grant's films, who, as Archibald Alexander Leach, hailed from Bristol. Cary Grant is one of my all time favourite stars and shares space on my office wall above my desk with Harrison Ford, Roger Moore and Humphrey Bogart.
My fellow panelists were crime authors Linda Regan, Leigh Russell, Aline Templeton with the participating moderator: Ruth Dudley Edwards who did a fantastic job of keeping us all in check. We discussed many aspects of crime fiction, crime writing and our characters and the audience asked lots of great questions.
There was a drinks reception to announce the shortlist of the Crime Writers' Association Dagger Awards and then I joined my publisher, Severn House, for another drinks party.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable Crimefest and I plan to return for the fifth anniversary Crimefest in 2012.
Footsteps on the Shore
After arriving in Bristol at 7.15 am after a very early start from the south coast of England, I was in good time to meet up with my fellow panel members for our panel event, the first one on the programme for that day at 9am on 20 May called Operation Petticoat: Jobs For The Girls. I discovered that the title of all the programme events were named after some of Cary Grant's films, who, as Archibald Alexander Leach, hailed from Bristol. Cary Grant is one of my all time favourite stars and shares space on my office wall above my desk with Harrison Ford, Roger Moore and Humphrey Bogart.
My fellow panelists were crime authors Linda Regan, Leigh Russell, Aline Templeton with the participating moderator: Ruth Dudley Edwards who did a fantastic job of keeping us all in check. We discussed many aspects of crime fiction, crime writing and our characters and the audience asked lots of great questions.
There was a drinks reception to announce the shortlist of the Crime Writers' Association Dagger Awards and then I joined my publisher, Severn House, for another drinks party.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable Crimefest and I plan to return for the fifth anniversary Crimefest in 2012.
Footsteps on the Shore
May 16, 2011
How do you get ideas for crime novels? Crime author Pauline Rowson explains
Ideas for my crime novels, as I've said before, can come from anywhere: from an overheard conversation, from a story someone tells me, from a specific location, or from witnessing something such as the coastguard rescue. Sometimes ideas come from a newspaper article and this news item popped up into my Google feeder recently from the Isle of Wight County Press.
"A GANG of lobster fishermen conspired to smuggle 255 kilos of cocaine through the Island into England, a court heard. The haul, which is believed to have come from Brazil, was found floating in The Solent off the coast of the Island by another fisherman on May 31 last year.A jury at Kingston Crown Court heard Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) officers were posted on the IW, while others were watching from the coast of Hampshire."
The trial is continuing but the article certainly got the ideas flowing but then there is never a shortage of them where I live and where my crime novels are based, Portsmouth,UK) The Solent and the Isle of Wight.
Portsmouth ( DI Andy Horton's patch) is a thriving port and busy city, steeped in history and with a modern vibrant waterfront giving access to one of the busiest harbours in the World. Home to the Royal Navy and with the Isle of Wight and the Solent on its doorstep so there is always plenty going on, not all of it criminal I hasten to add. Ideas are the easy bit, it's turning them into a novel of 80,000 words that's tricky, but it's fascinating and fun.
Dead Man's Wharf
"A GANG of lobster fishermen conspired to smuggle 255 kilos of cocaine through the Island into England, a court heard. The haul, which is believed to have come from Brazil, was found floating in The Solent off the coast of the Island by another fisherman on May 31 last year.A jury at Kingston Crown Court heard Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) officers were posted on the IW, while others were watching from the coast of Hampshire."
The trial is continuing but the article certainly got the ideas flowing but then there is never a shortage of them where I live and where my crime novels are based, Portsmouth,UK) The Solent and the Isle of Wight.
Portsmouth ( DI Andy Horton's patch) is a thriving port and busy city, steeped in history and with a modern vibrant waterfront giving access to one of the busiest harbours in the World. Home to the Royal Navy and with the Isle of Wight and the Solent on its doorstep so there is always plenty going on, not all of it criminal I hasten to add. Ideas are the easy bit, it's turning them into a novel of 80,000 words that's tricky, but it's fascinating and fun.
Dead Man's Wharf
May 9, 2011
Great Review from the States for the latest DI Andy Horton procedural crime novel, Footsteps on the Shore
I'm delighted that my latest DI Andy Horton, Footsteps on the Shore, published in the UK in January and in the USA this month (May) has been given a star rated excellent review in America by top American reviewer Booklist who has compared it, and my writing, to best selling crime authors in the USA Ed McBain and Joseph Wambaugh and in the UK to Peter Robinson and John Harvey.
Booklist, has heaped praise on the latest in the DI Andy Horton series claiming it to be ‘outstanding’ and ‘it deserves mention in the same breath as works in the upper echelons of both American procedurals (those by McBain or Joseph Wambaugh, for example)’
Ed McBain laid down the formula that defined the urban police novel and Wambaugh is a best selling American crime author who is also creator of Police Story, NBC-TV, 1973-1977 and The Blue Knight, NBC-TV, 1977.
The review from Booklist says, ‘Andy Horton is an especially good series hero, a likable fellow with plenty of street smarts and the requisite personal baggage – an abrasive supervisor and an antagonistic soon-to-be ex-wife ( like Harvey's Frank Elder). Procedural fans who haven’t already read Rowson should be encouraged to do so in the strongest possible terms.’ Booklist
I am obviously delighted by this review. It is very rewarding to get such a strong recommendation from a reputable reviewer like this in America. Thank you.
Footsteps on the Shore
Booklist, has heaped praise on the latest in the DI Andy Horton series claiming it to be ‘outstanding’ and ‘it deserves mention in the same breath as works in the upper echelons of both American procedurals (those by McBain or Joseph Wambaugh, for example)’
Ed McBain laid down the formula that defined the urban police novel and Wambaugh is a best selling American crime author who is also creator of Police Story, NBC-TV, 1973-1977 and The Blue Knight, NBC-TV, 1977.
The review from Booklist says, ‘Andy Horton is an especially good series hero, a likable fellow with plenty of street smarts and the requisite personal baggage – an abrasive supervisor and an antagonistic soon-to-be ex-wife ( like Harvey's Frank Elder). Procedural fans who haven’t already read Rowson should be encouraged to do so in the strongest possible terms.’ Booklist
I am obviously delighted by this review. It is very rewarding to get such a strong recommendation from a reputable reviewer like this in America. Thank you.
Footsteps on the Shore
May 3, 2011
Pauline Rowson presents prizes and certificates to the winner and shortlist of the Young Crime Writers' Award
On Saturday 30 April I was delighted to announce the winner of the Young Crime Writers' Competition 2011 for the southern area at an awards ceremony at Portsmouth Central Library, and present certificates to the shortlisted entrants from across the south.
George Neame, (16) from Bognor Regis, West Sussex was awarded first prize for his entry The Photograph and will now go forward for the National finals in June. Ewan Murphy (10) from Winchester was Highly Commended for his entry Schoolhouse Murder.
I shortlisted fifteen young writers aged between eleven and seventeen from a total number of entries of one hundred and twenty one that came from across the region including, Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex.
The competition was organised by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) of which I am a member and writers aged up to 18 were invited to submit 1000 words of crime fiction through their local library. The winner of the national final will be announced during National Crime Writing Week (13-19 June).
George Neame received a certificate, a £10 book token and a copy of two of my DI Andy Horton crime novels, Dead Man’s Wharf and Blood on the Sand. The national winner will receive an engraved pen, a selection of signed books, and a weekend pass for the winner and one accompanying adult, including one night’s accommodation, and tickets to the Gala Dinner at Crimefest 2012 an International annual convention which draws top crime novelists from around the world.
George Neame is an extremely talented young writer. He was highly commended last year and a deserving winner this year. His descriptions and dialogue were excellent, the story was intriguing, with good pace and very well written. I’ve no doubt that if he continues with his writing we will see his published novels one day.
I was also impressed with Ewan Murphy’s entry. For a young man of ten he shows remarkable talent.
All the shortlisted entries were of high quality. I’m delighted to see so much interest from young people in writing and I’m very grateful to all who entered and to Portsmouth, Southampton, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex libraries for helping to organise this highly successful event.
You can read more and see photographs from the event on my web site http://www.rowmark.co.uk or my blog http://www.paulinerowson.com
George Neame, (16) from Bognor Regis, West Sussex was awarded first prize for his entry The Photograph and will now go forward for the National finals in June. Ewan Murphy (10) from Winchester was Highly Commended for his entry Schoolhouse Murder.
I shortlisted fifteen young writers aged between eleven and seventeen from a total number of entries of one hundred and twenty one that came from across the region including, Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex.
The competition was organised by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) of which I am a member and writers aged up to 18 were invited to submit 1000 words of crime fiction through their local library. The winner of the national final will be announced during National Crime Writing Week (13-19 June).
George Neame received a certificate, a £10 book token and a copy of two of my DI Andy Horton crime novels, Dead Man’s Wharf and Blood on the Sand. The national winner will receive an engraved pen, a selection of signed books, and a weekend pass for the winner and one accompanying adult, including one night’s accommodation, and tickets to the Gala Dinner at Crimefest 2012 an International annual convention which draws top crime novelists from around the world.
George Neame is an extremely talented young writer. He was highly commended last year and a deserving winner this year. His descriptions and dialogue were excellent, the story was intriguing, with good pace and very well written. I’ve no doubt that if he continues with his writing we will see his published novels one day.
I was also impressed with Ewan Murphy’s entry. For a young man of ten he shows remarkable talent.
All the shortlisted entries were of high quality. I’m delighted to see so much interest from young people in writing and I’m very grateful to all who entered and to Portsmouth, Southampton, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex libraries for helping to organise this highly successful event.
You can read more and see photographs from the event on my web site http://www.rowmark.co.uk or my blog http://www.paulinerowson.com
April 28, 2011
Pauline Rowson on the Book Programme on PortsmouthLive TV 3 May talking about her DI Andy Horton crime novels
Next Tuesday, on 3 May, I will be on the Book Programme on PortsmouthLive TV talking to Sally Cronin about my DI Andy Horton crime novels, and the latest crime fiction books in the marine mystery series of police procedurals including Footsteps on the Shore, Blood on the Sand and Dead Man's Wharf.
Portsmouth is DI Andy Horton's patch and the series is based around the south coast city of Portsmouth, the Solent area and the Isle of Wight.
I've been on Portsmouth Live TV a couple of times and I'm looking forward to my chat with Sally on the book programme on Live at 5. Hope some of you can tune in at 5pm on 3 May via their website
The week after, on Tuesday 10 May, I'll be on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent at about 6.45 am. It's always a pleasure chatting to Julian Clegg, so looking forward to that interview too.
Footsteps on the Shore
Portsmouth is DI Andy Horton's patch and the series is based around the south coast city of Portsmouth, the Solent area and the Isle of Wight.
I've been on Portsmouth Live TV a couple of times and I'm looking forward to my chat with Sally on the book programme on Live at 5. Hope some of you can tune in at 5pm on 3 May via their website
The week after, on Tuesday 10 May, I'll be on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent at about 6.45 am. It's always a pleasure chatting to Julian Clegg, so looking forward to that interview too.
Footsteps on the Shore
April 26, 2011
Pauline Rowson to present certificates and prizes to the south's winners of the CWA Young Crime Writers Competition
On Saturday 30 April at Portsmouth Central Library I will be presenting certificates to the fifteen talented young crime writers from across the south, shortlisted in the CWA National Young Crime Writers’ Competition 2011 at an Awards Ceremony, where I will also announce which of them is to go forward for the National finals in June.
The young crime writers, aged between eleven and seventeen, have been shortlisted out of a total of 121 entries. They come from across the region including Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex. The competition has been organised by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) of which I am a member and represents the interests of published crime writers, and library authorities nationwide.
Writers aged up to 18 were invited to submit 1000 words of crime fiction through their local library. Out of the 121 entries received by the libraries 62 reached the second selection stage and from these I shortlisted fifteen. It was a tough job!
The winner of the southern region will go forward to the national final, which will be announced during National Crime Writing Week (13-19 June).
At the Awards ceremony on 30 April each shortlisted entrant will receive a certificate while the area winner will be awarded a certificate and a £10 book token and two copies of my DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novels and will go forward for the national prize. The national winner will receive an engraved pen, a selection of signed books, and a weekend pass for the winner and one accompanying adult, including one night’s accommodation, and tickets to the Gala Dinner at Crimefest 2012 an International annual convention which draws top crime novelists from around the world.
This has been a really tough competition to judge because the entries were so varied, imaginative and of a very high standard. I’m very grateful to the libraries for helping to organise this event and look forward to meeting the shortlisted entrants.
The Awards Ceremony takes place at Portsmouth Central Library on Saturday 30 April 2011 at 10.45 am.
Pauline Rowson's web site can be found at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
The young crime writers, aged between eleven and seventeen, have been shortlisted out of a total of 121 entries. They come from across the region including Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex. The competition has been organised by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) of which I am a member and represents the interests of published crime writers, and library authorities nationwide.
Writers aged up to 18 were invited to submit 1000 words of crime fiction through their local library. Out of the 121 entries received by the libraries 62 reached the second selection stage and from these I shortlisted fifteen. It was a tough job!
The winner of the southern region will go forward to the national final, which will be announced during National Crime Writing Week (13-19 June).
At the Awards ceremony on 30 April each shortlisted entrant will receive a certificate while the area winner will be awarded a certificate and a £10 book token and two copies of my DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novels and will go forward for the national prize. The national winner will receive an engraved pen, a selection of signed books, and a weekend pass for the winner and one accompanying adult, including one night’s accommodation, and tickets to the Gala Dinner at Crimefest 2012 an International annual convention which draws top crime novelists from around the world.
This has been a really tough competition to judge because the entries were so varied, imaginative and of a very high standard. I’m very grateful to the libraries for helping to organise this event and look forward to meeting the shortlisted entrants.
The Awards Ceremony takes place at Portsmouth Central Library on Saturday 30 April 2011 at 10.45 am.
Pauline Rowson's web site can be found at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Footsteps on the Shore
April 19, 2011
Pauline Rowson talking at the Isle of Wight Arts Festival about her DI Horton crime novels and thrillers
It was a pleasure to meet some existing readers and introduce my crime novels to new readers at the Isle of Wight Arts Festival at Ventnor on Sunday, and what a gorgeous day it was too, wall-to-wall sunshine with people flocking to the little beach in the small bay. I was just glad that some visitors managed to tear themselves away from the beach and the sunshine to come and listen to yours truly for an hour in the resplendent Royal Hotel, Ventnor.
It was a small group but they were delightful and I enjoyed talking to them and answering their questions about how I research and write my thrillers, and my marine mystery crime novels featuring my flawed and hunky detective DI Andy Horton.
The first Isle of Wight Festival this year featured many local artists and writers and star attractions, Edward Fox and Barry Norman. I hope it has been a success and runs again next year. I'd be delighted to return and thank you to the people of Ventnor and the visitors for making me so welcome.
For information on all my crime and thriller novels visit my web site http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Deadly Waters
It was a small group but they were delightful and I enjoyed talking to them and answering their questions about how I research and write my thrillers, and my marine mystery crime novels featuring my flawed and hunky detective DI Andy Horton.
The first Isle of Wight Festival this year featured many local artists and writers and star attractions, Edward Fox and Barry Norman. I hope it has been a success and runs again next year. I'd be delighted to return and thank you to the people of Ventnor and the visitors for making me so welcome.
For information on all my crime and thriller novels visit my web site http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Deadly Waters
April 12, 2011
My writing routine, crime author Pauline Rowson explains hers
There are a writers who write the same time every day come what may; others will write a certain number of words every day and say, 'when I've done my quota, I'll knock off writing.' Me? I have no routine and I don't count the number of words. Some days the words will flow and I can spend up to eight hours, maybe more writing. Other days I will struggle to find the correct words. If the latter happens I will usually pick up my knitting, do some sewing or go for a walk. My mind is constantly working though, thinking through the plots or sub plots, developing characters. I do, however, try to write or 'think' my novels every day. And if I can, I usually work on my crime novels every late afternoon and early evening, knocking off about 7.30pm.
I'm currently working in pencil on my outline plot, working up ideas for the new DI Andy Horton, which will be number eight in the series. Then I'll start to put down some character sketches before starting on the first draft of what I call the creative writing bit which goes direct onto the computer. When I will begin this creative writing stage I'm not quite sure yet, but it shouldn't be long.
Read more about my writing and my books on http://www.rowmark.co.uk or on my blog http://www.paulinerowson.com
Dead Man's Wharf
I'm currently working in pencil on my outline plot, working up ideas for the new DI Andy Horton, which will be number eight in the series. Then I'll start to put down some character sketches before starting on the first draft of what I call the creative writing bit which goes direct onto the computer. When I will begin this creative writing stage I'm not quite sure yet, but it shouldn't be long.
Read more about my writing and my books on http://www.rowmark.co.uk or on my blog http://www.paulinerowson.com
Dead Man's Wharf
April 8, 2011
Planning and Structuring a Crime Novel- started working on next DI Andy Horton
I've started planning the next DI Andy Horton marine mystery crime novel, number eight in the series, which is set against the backdrop of the sea on the South Coast of England. How much planning is required when structuring a crime novel?
The answer to that question varies with the author. Some crime writers spend a very long time at the planning stage, up to a year, maybe more, others have only a rough outline before beginning the creative writing, and some will have an in depth synopsis written.
When I begin a new crime novel or thriller I don't have a clue who did it or why? I start with an idea, and a body and then Andy Horton, accompanied by Sergeant Cantelli and often in conflict with his boss DCI Lorraine Bliss and the head of the Major Crime Team, Detective Superintendent Uckfield, set out to discover who killed her/him and why.
The first draft creates the characters, their motivations and personalities. It explores the relationships and determines the setting. At this stage I'm not sure where the story is going or how many twists and turns it will take and that's what excites me. The structure will change, new ideas will spring up, research will sometimes take me in a completely different direction to the one I thought I was heading. Sub plots will begin to develop, which could tie in with the main plot or go their own way, and sometimes I might remove them completely because they are worthy of developing into a novel of their own.
It's unchartered waters and I'm off with Andy Horton to explore what gruesome crime we'll find within them.
For more about the DI Andy Horton series and my other books visit: http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Blood on the Sand
The answer to that question varies with the author. Some crime writers spend a very long time at the planning stage, up to a year, maybe more, others have only a rough outline before beginning the creative writing, and some will have an in depth synopsis written.
When I begin a new crime novel or thriller I don't have a clue who did it or why? I start with an idea, and a body and then Andy Horton, accompanied by Sergeant Cantelli and often in conflict with his boss DCI Lorraine Bliss and the head of the Major Crime Team, Detective Superintendent Uckfield, set out to discover who killed her/him and why.
The first draft creates the characters, their motivations and personalities. It explores the relationships and determines the setting. At this stage I'm not sure where the story is going or how many twists and turns it will take and that's what excites me. The structure will change, new ideas will spring up, research will sometimes take me in a completely different direction to the one I thought I was heading. Sub plots will begin to develop, which could tie in with the main plot or go their own way, and sometimes I might remove them completely because they are worthy of developing into a novel of their own.
It's unchartered waters and I'm off with Andy Horton to explore what gruesome crime we'll find within them.
For more about the DI Andy Horton series and my other books visit: http://www.rowmark.co.uk
Blood on the Sand
