Does UK Publishing Reflect Diversity?

The UK is amongst the most diverse countries in the world. The 2011 Census found that the ethnic minority population of London was the majority population. White British people accounted for 44.9% of London's population. So, considering that London is the home of UK Publishing and that the capital's population, do you think ethnic minorities are well represented in print?

Thoughts on Writing

I'm placing my fingers on these keys and punching out a few thoughts before I return to the real work of writing fiction.

Since my debut novel was published in late 2006...I harboured a dream to write books ranging from children's to science-fiction, yet struggled against the tide of life's minutiae to produce them. I confess that the notion of winning a literary competition snared me and I lost many months chasing the dreams of others, because I thought it would be impossible to win a glance from a Grand Publisher (as I call them) as they are seeking that humongous blockbuster, the next "big thing". 

I believe that emerging from a British minority community and seeking to be published in an environment which is white, middle-classed and conservative means few writers of diversity find traction. Books fail to reflect the origin of those who read them. I hope the appointment of Malorie Blackman as Children's Laureate will change matters. Yet, I suspect that most of us will remain Noughts.

The Grand Publishers will, of course, get what they want, but they will be astonished by its origin just as they were with Harry Potter.  

To date, I have written six novels and a screenplay and enjoyed listening to the professional, if somewhat unusual advice, from two London-based literary agencies. My work remains unpublished, because the market isn't ready for what I write. Apparently. 

So, I've decided. I will join the new tribe of publisher-authors, who are striking out alone on the wild path. Even as I go forward into the darkened forest, I am returning to an old way of crafting fiction, albeit carried in an eBook format and wielding the sword of social media.  Soon, I hope to begin publishing books. YA. Thrillers. Poetry. Wherever the muse takes me. You see, I finally realised that all I wanted was to share what I enjoy most; writing stories.

ZHZ

Writing Exercises: The Story Game

Image of 'Children' from Wikipedia

Want to test the enduring power of story-telling? Just say "once upon a time..." and witness the effect on a child. Is it social conditioning or genetic? I don't know, but I know we were made for stories. The ability to spin a tale is essential for story-tellers and children can learn how by playing a great little game.

Basic Formation

1. Nominate a Time-keeper. This person will stay outside the circle.
2. Form a circle made up of 3 or more children.
3. One person is chosen as the spark for the story. They begin with the words 'once upon a time...' and continue...
4. The Time-keeper will cry 'next!' after 60 seconds. Whoever is telling the story must stop and the next person will continue from where they left off.
5. Keep going till you reach the end of the story. Or until the bell rings!

 Tips

• Relax.
• Listen - yes, listen to the story-teller.
• Let your mind conjure up images and sensations.
• Be expressive/use body language.
• Pause to heighten tension.
• Use eye-contact.
• Use logic (in your story-telling).
• Insert 'telling' details into your story.
• Practise!

 Spicing Things Up!

• Leave out a Time-Keeper. A story-teller stops whenever they want, after a second, a minute...go with the flow.
• Use a story bag filled with random objects. The first story-teller picks out an object and starts telling a story involving the object. After 60 seconds the next person picks another object and incorporates it into the story...
• A person can be chosen to 'act out' the story being told.

This is a powerful game. I have watched hesitant story-tellers transformed into magical bards after two tries! Why don't you give it a go and see where it takes you?

Writing Exercises: Painting Word-Pictures of Still Life

This is a fun game designed to get children playing with words by using their senses.

A wordsmith may be great at telling a story, but fall foul of plot. Others can conjure up unforgettable characters, but their dialogue is limp.  And even many experienced writers often trip up on description.

This exercise is amazingly powerful at their creative juices flowing. And it's simple and easy to do.

The aim of the 'Still Life' game is to paint word-pictures!


What do you need?

• Pen and paper
• An object

The Rules of the Game?

• Select an object
• Create an air of mystery about the object.
• Then present it! 
• Encourage the children to use their senses...

• Get the children to walk around the object - instruct them to try different angles

Ask them: 

• What is the object? Can they think of alternative names?
• What colour is it? Can they think of different ways to describe the colour?
• What is its shape?
• How does light act on the object? 
• Does it resemble another object?

If safe, pass the object round:

• Is it hard, soft? Heavy, light? 
• Warm, cold?
• What kind of texture does it have?

• Does the object make a sound?
• Which part of the object does the sound come from?
• Is it a pure sound? A note?
• Does the sound resemble any other?
• How long does it last?

• Do they think the object has a taste? 
• Could they describe it?

• How does the object make them feel?
• Is it special in any way?
• Does the object recall a memory?

• What is the story of the object? How did it get there? Where is it going? Where was it made? By whom?
• How is it placed? How does the object relate to other objects around it...

Then:

• Get them to read out what they've written

Once they have the hang of the exercise, ask the children to write what they see as:

• A poem
• A short story
• A title
• A letter
• A text message
• An email

  

Extra tips:

• Prepare beforehand - I suggest selecting five objects.
• Five objects could take more than 30 minutes to describe!
• The more intriguing the object the more involved the childen will get.
• Children will improve each time the do the exercise - but don't do too many objects!

Finally: 

If your group enjoys this exercise, suggest keeping a notebook handy to take notes. Writers depend on random scribblings to populate their writing. You never know when you might need a descriptive piece of writing.

Have fun!

The No 1 Secret to Getting Your Message Across

Charity's struggle to share their successes and struggles with donors, friends, staff, and volunteers. Communication is essential to raise funds and resources, link with hard-to-reach communities and to ultimately change society.


How do charities usually tell their story? They start with the the date established and close the narrative with the services they offer and expect us to buy in to their vision. Hmm.

This works wonders when the message is shot from the founder's hip or comes from someone whose life was turned around by the charity. But what if you're not the founder? How do you connect with would-be donors?

Simple.

Focus on the positive change you brought to one person's life. 

In future blogs I will provide examples and more steps on how to connect with audiences. Watch this space.