Joe Craig's Blog, page 3

The Writing Process Blog Tour

I’ve been tagged. I can feel it oozing all over me. Not really, it’s actually quite a pleasant feeling. Like being tickled with butter.
SF Said told me about this ‘Writing Process Blog Tour’ and he’s one of my favourite children’s writers, so when he says things I pay attention. (He wrote the extraordinary Varjak Paw books and his new release, Phoenix, looks amazing so check it out.)
He tagged me, so it’s my job to continue the tour. The idea is that every week from now until the internet burns...

Tips For Writing Action

I've just been writing a fight sequence in the book I'm working on. Over ten years of writing action scenes in Jimmy Coates thrillers, I've noticed a couple of tools I rely on to help me, and a couple of huge WATCH-OUT rules that I don't think any writer should ever, ever break. Those biggies are at the bottom. First, the tools:

Be clear
If you're writing any kind of fight or chase, get hold of little action figures or toys so you can carefully and slowly choreograph the sequence on your desk....

Writing tip from Aristotle

"We are what we repeatedly do. So excellence is not an act, but a habit."

And so to be a writer, write.

(I don't think that includes tweeting.)

The Goldfish of Doom

I wrote a funny little story that you can read for free, but only until midnight Thursday (UK time), when I'm going to take it down again.

It's called

ANIMAL CALAMITY! The Goldfish of Doom
and you can find it here:

http://www.wattpad.com/44300957-animal-calamity-the-goldfish-of-doom?utm_source=web&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_reading&ref_id=19409946 

It's based on a true story, but I've changed things a little. For example, in the story it's about the main character's mum's go...

Joe Craig's Epic Biscuits. I think they're shortbread.

I was asked to contribute a recipe to a school cookbook. I got a bit carried away and sent them something a little more confessional. Here it is:
I spend most of my day cooking or eating or thinking about cooking and eating – when I should be writing. I don’t usually follow recipes. I read them, nick ideas from them, then do my own thing. This is fine for savoury dishes but it’s a disaster for desserts. In particular: baking. For this reason, I am a terrible baker.
I get nervous about following...

Codes, Clues, Secrets & Lies in Jimmy Coates books

On page 138 of Jimmy Coates: Target (the UK edition) there's a code.
The book came out in 2006 and nobody has cracked the code yet (or at least, nobody has cracked the code and let me know about it). Every now and again people send me their theories about it - all wrong. This week I had an email containing a lovely, creative solution. Also wrong.
Here's the email (edited, to keep all this discreet) along with my response (also edited. What do you think this is, a democracy?).
From: xxx...

Book Questionnaire for Authors

West Earlham Junior School have been asking authors 4 questions. A whole bunch of authors have replied and it's quite enlightening to check out everybody's answers here:
http://wejsbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/4jbs-author-questionnaire.html

I've chipped in. The email asking me to do this said I should take 30 seconds over it. So I didn't think about it very much and just typed as fast as I could. Here's what I said:

1. What was your favourite book as a child? 
Age 8: Magnus Powermouse by...

Young Spy Books - Interview

A new facebook page has popped up dedicated to 'Young Adult Spy Books'. If you like that kind of thing I suggest you check it out: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Top-Teen-Young-Adult-Spy-Books-Novels/483752575076886

It's early days but they've already got an interview with me up there. It's one of those interviews in which I talk about setting people off on their path to greatness...

Mr Joe Craig author of the Jimmy Coates series has kindly agreed to be interviewed by us.

1) Did you write s...

Writing Clinic: Basic Tips

Thought I'd share with you one of the latest messages I've had asking about writing. It came from one of my readers via facebook but I get asked similar things all the time so I hope my answer helps. Tell me what you think or add your suggestions in the comments...

I don't know whether to describe a character in one big paragraph or a bit here and a bit there as the chapter goes on. Also i just can't seem to change the scene.
I'm having lots of trouble bringing the child from school to hom...

Ooh... Interesting

Seeing family over Christmas? Gonna be hearing those same old anecdotes/opinions/conspiracy theories?



Don't worry. I'm here to provide you with your new response:



http://youtu.be/qGbtGpBxtMo



Ooh... interesting.