Online Worksheet: Novel Writing with David Bishop

A few weeks back, novelist, screenwriter and general tornado David Bishop ran an excellent workshop on novel writing in Dumfries. Sadly, a few people had to be turned away, but don't despair - David has kindly provided an online version, which is now on the DG Writers' Hub right here. He takes a refreshingly realistic look at the life of a working writer. Essential reading for anyone with that novel still inside them, and wondering how to bring it out.

'...You enjoy the physical process of working with words. You experience a vicarious thrill from entering the worlds within your imagination, from being surprised by your characters and your choices...'

'...books are written one word, one sentence, one paragraph and one page at a time...'

David Bishop's writing blog.

Hugh McMillan - Strange Bamboo

Hugh McMillan’s fourth full collection ‘Strange Bamboo’ is about to be released by Shoestring Press. This book reveals him as one of Scotland’s sharpest and most accessible talents. His subject matter ranges from the local to the universal but all is observed with clarity, an unsentimental compassion and, often, a rollicking sense of fun.

Much modern poetry is portentous and self-consciously clever. McMillan’s is, as Robert Nye once pointed out, “ a breath of fresh air.”

“McMillan is unique in the angle and tone of his attack on the familiar.” Ian Duhig

Strange Bamboo ISBN-13 978 1 904886 51 8 £8.95 from Shoestring Press
Visit Hugh's podcast and poetry blog.

*****

Out of the Way

Lydia has pink sandals

and butterfly clips:

it’s sunny in the gardens,

the grass tiger stripes,

the news only a distant wheeze

from a kitchen radio,

drowned by bees,

a breeze, the birdsong.

This is why we’re here:

nothing to worry over

but tumbles on soft lawns,

that and the vicious roar

of fighter bombers, spinning

like needles over garden sheds,

practicing pitching bombs

on babies’ heads.

Writers on Writing: Interview with Jacob Polley

The second in our new series of audio interviews with working writers, giving a unique insight into their art, craft and inspiration.

Jacob Polley

Poet Jacob Polley is one of the 2004 Next Generation poets, and a Eric Gregory Award winner (2002). His new collection, Little Gods, is published by Picador.

Here he talks about getting started in poetry, his inspiration and his process. This interview was recorded during a recent reading in Dumfries as part of the acclaimed Poetry Doubles series.

'...it comes from the desire to create something, to make a mark on paper...'

'...in order to write, you need to be reading...'

'...reading is about learning the sinews of other people's work...'

To hear Jacob Polley's audio interview, click here. For the general podcast page, click here.

Please be patient - 2MB file. © 2007 Jacob Polley.

'Markings' Launch with Alan Franks

Saturday April 28th, 7 for 7.30pm
The Bakehouse 44, High Street, Gatehouse of Fleet

An evening of poetry and songs to launch the latest issue of 'Markings' magazine.

Alan Franks is a poet, playwright, novelist, Times feature writer, diarist, humourist and musician and winner of four major poetry competitions (including Wigtown) in the last three years! One of his songs, The Wishfulness Waltz, is the title track of a recent compilation CD by the Fairport Convention.'

"…(Alan's) poems show a great ear, exude a terrific confidence and imaginative freedom - and a reckless, romantic drama that you'd have to have a heart of stone to remain unmoved by." Don Paterson

'Franks' songs are wonderfully true, complex, addictive things. I wish I think, write and play like him….This is the real thing, I promise.' Jake Thackray

Alan will be followed by readings from contributors to Markings 24.
Tickets £7.50 (£6.00 concs). To book ring 01557 814196 or email bookings@thebakehouse.info or chryssalt2@aol.com, or take a chance on the door.

Writers on Writing: Interview with Eleanor Yule

The first in our new series of audio interviews with working writers, giving a unique insight into their art, craft and inspiration.

First off the block: Eleanor Yule

Eleanor Yule is a screenwriter and Scottish BAFTA-winning director whose many screen credits include the feature film Blinded, and awarding-winning documentaries for the BBC (RD Laing, Muriel Spark and the Scottish colourists).

Here, Eleanor Yule talks about the differences between writing for the screen and other media, and opportunities for screenwriters in Scotland.

'...really what screenworks are about is a present-tense narrative unravelling in front of your eyes...'

'...screenwriting, more than any other kind of writing, is an understanding of the film-making process...'

'...if you're coming from novel-writing, you carry a lot of baggage... the narrator is very powerful, the internal world of the protagonist is hard to do filmically...'

To head direct to the audio interview, click here. For the general podcast page, click here.

Please be patient - 2MB file. © 2007 Eleanor Yule.