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Writers' College Links...
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Dear Reader
Right now, we're reaching what I call the three-quarter-year slump: the end of the work year is in sight and the long Summer holidays are almost within reach - but not quite yet.
Outside, change is afoot with the sunnier days, blossoms and green shoots everywhere, but what are you doing to shake things up a bit in your life?
While routine is always a good thing, it's impossible for anyone to feel motivated and inspired if they're simply going through the motions every day. As a writer, it's imperative that you keep your mind alive with possibility. I doubt anyone ever wrote a bestseller without needing to motivate or inspire themselves along the way.
This issue of the Writers' College newsletter is dedicated to all of you who have felt demotivated and hopelessly uninspired during a writing project. Read some great advice from writers out there playing the field, and draw inspiration from reading each others' writing.
Don't let the three-quarter-year slump get the better of you! As Norman Mailer says:
'Being a real writer means being able to do the work on a bad day.'
Write that down.
Sam
SAMANTHA MOOLMAN (Editor of The Writers' College News, fellow writer, blogger and part-time journalism lecturer)
CONTACT US at THE WRITERS' COLLEGE:
Principal: NICHOLA MEYER E-mail Nichola
Student queries and applications: KOOS TURENHOUT E-mail Koos |
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LATEST COLLEGE NEWS
A big congratulations to our Write a Novel Course tutor ALEX SMITH, who just won the prestigious 2011 Nielsen Booksellers Choice Award for her novel Four Drunk Beauties. Well done Alex! We are so proud of you.
Magazine Journalism tutor LISA LAZARUS has a new novel called When in Broad Daylight I Open My Eyes coming out in early 2012, co-authored with Greg Fried. Congratulations Lisa.
HENRIETTA ROSE-INNES, who designed our Write a Novel Course, has a new novel out called Nineveh that has already garnered some rave reviews. Well done Henrietta.
Congratulations to TRISH NICHOLSON, a graduate of the Short Story Course, who just got back from the Winchester Writers conference in the UK where her story, 'Modus Operandi' came first in the 1500 word section. The judges had this to say:
"It is generally taken as a rule in shorter short stories to keep it simple and make one point, and here we have child abuse, three murders and a suicide, but also strong characters...".
So it pays to break the rules sometimes!
Also a noteworthy mention: Another of Trish's stories 'Sunlight on Stone' was commended in the 2,500 word section.
CHRISTO VALENTYN completed the Magazine Journalism course in 2007. Christo was recently appointed to the national executive committee of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists. Congratulations, Christo!
Well done also to ANDREA STITSON who won first prize for a short story competition organised by Her magazine - a NZ glossy aimed at professional women. Andrea's story is entitled 'Dancing with Charlie'.
We also received this lovely letter from MADI HANEKOM, a 2010 graduate from our Magazine Journalism Course, which proves that studying under the Writers' College can really get you places!
Madi had an article about the Quiet Mountain Country House published in the Beeld Naweek+ supplement, and a food-related article published in the Sunday Times Travel & Food supplement. Her article about Kakamas will now be placed in the Country Life October 2011 edition.
Well done, Madi! And keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to us all!
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GRADUATES
Congratulations to all our students who recently completed their Writing College course! Here's a list of all the graduates in each of our courses:
Write a Novel Course graduates:
Annabel Schoeman with distinction
Janine Patel with distinction
Pumani Ayer with merit
Basics of Creative Writing Course graduates:
Claire Cole with distinction
Danie Markgraaff with distinction
Dewald van Wyk with merit
Donnelly McCleland with distrinction
Glenda Spackman with distinction
Jessica Welch with distinction
Kay Fechney with merit
Kebafilwe Lephogole
Marg Green with distinction
Michelle Beater with merit
Sharon Wilson with distinction
Surani Ramachandra with merit
Travel Writing Course graduates:
Celia Becker with distinction
Chelsea Haith with distinction
Dee During with distinction
Georgie Chennels with distinction
Lizanne Els with merit
Marcelle Balt with distinction
Gillian Gilbride with distinction
Short Story Course graduates:
Elizabeth Macdonald with distinction
Darrel Hofland with distinction
Magazine Journalism Course graduates:
Bronwyn Katzke with merit
Christine Briston with distinction
Danielle Louw
Jackie with distinction
Laura Bester
Micharn Pollock with distinction
Meryl-Lynne Colborne with distinction
Nicole Reichlin with merit
Tydskrifjournalistiek gegradueerde:
Tanita da Silva
Basics of Grammar Skills Course graduate:
Omri Pieterse with distinction
Grammar Skills Course graduate:
Susan Botha with distinction
Web Writing Course graduate:
Bronwyn Williams with distinction
Basiese Kreatiewe Skryfkuns gegradueerdes:
Esme-Mari Anker met onderskeiding
Jan-Adriaan "Prop" van Rooyen met meriete
Jenny Basson met meriete
Lonkie Mackenzie met onderskeiding
Writing Coach Course graduate:
Allan Spear
Write Better Newsletter Course graduate:
Karen Straub
Copywriting Course graduate:
Rosella Roux |
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LATEST STUDENT FEEDBACK
 "Alex is one of the friendliest, helpful people I have ever met. She NEVER made me feel inferior or broke down my writing. She helped me find my voice and encouraged me to use it to the best of my ability. I never expected an esteemed Author to treat me with such love. I will be forever indebted to her and her guidance. The most important thing I have learned from Alex: Rewrite it!" Annabel Schoeman, Write a Novel Course, June 2011
"Alex Smith was a fantastic tutor. Her feedback was always helpful and encouraging and the suggestions and notes she gave were always applicable to the challenges I was facing. I could not have asked for a better tutor. Alex was always available to assist me and always gave more than was required in terms of support and feedback." Janine Patel, Write a Novel Course, June 2011 "I had a need for basic training and the opportunity to grow as a writer. And this course provided it in an attractive, efficient and a no-nonsense way. The overall efficiency was excellent and made the work during the course very easy. My tutor was very, very good. I had quite a few email interactions and I found Helen to be very approachable and to the point with her comments. She understood where I am going and directed me accordingly. Thank you." Danie Markgraaff, Basics of Creative Writing, July 2011 "It was a very inspiring course. It was so nice to know that I don't have to just 'know' how to write and that help is available to teach and guide me. I really appreciated Helen's input; it made so much sense. Helen was so gentle when my work could have been better and so encouraging and motivating when it was good. She explained things carefully and made very valid suggestions. The course was a very positive experience that has introduced me to the world of writing and has inspired me to continue working towards my dream." Jessica Welch, Basics of Creative Writing, July 2011 "A big thank you to NZ Writer's College for providing such an amazing opportunity to get me back on to the path of becoming a writer and helping me fulfil a life-long dream!" Surani Ramachandra, Basics of Creative Writing Course, June 2011 "My tutor was great: prompt; relevant responses; minimal "interference"; much encouragement. You are doing a great job. I also recommended your school to my sons who both completed courses with you over the past year: Basil Mackenzie (Magazine writing) and Bernard Mackenzie (Travel writing)." Lonkie Mackenzie, Basics of Creative Writing, June 2011 "The response time [of my tutor] was incredibly quick in general. Also appreciated the specifics of advice (e.g. contacts in the industry). Overall, I am very glad I took this course, and thankful to have had Don as my tutor. It's an efficient, enjoyable and simple way to learn the basics of good writing." Georgie Chennells, The International Travel Writing Course, July 2011 "I would definitely recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn more about various genres of writing. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Just need to get published now - then I guess the proof will be in the pudding, as they say!" Dee During, The International Travel Writing Course, July 2011 "Thanks for the encouragement and the excellent administrative support from the College." Marcelle Balt, Travel Writing Course, June 2011 "The course is thorough and well thought out. I liked the clear directions for presenting one's story and the many contacts given. Ginny Swart is an excellent tutor, always ready to answer questions and to help with difficulties. She is a credit to the college. I enjoyed the course very much." Elizabeth Macdonald, Short Story Writing Course, May 2011 "The course was very insightful, helpful in clearing up things or misconceptions I had. Helped me be very clear about my writing. My tutor was very helpful and kind with regard to feedback on my modules. Very thankful to have had someone go the extra mile for me. Well worth my time and energy. Thanks." Danielle Louw, Magazine Journalism Course, July 2011 "I think Paul Smith was the perfect tutor for me. He knew when and how to push me to get good results as I had several moments earlier on of self-doubt, procrastination and over-thinking things! If I had the money to start straight onto the Advanced Course - I would - and would be asking for Paul to be my tutor again." Jackie Clark, Magazine Journalism Course, July 2011 "Tracey was supportive, encouraging, gave useful critique and did all she could to keep me moving through the modules." Christine Briston, Magazine Journalism Course, June 2011 "Thank you for a fantastic course. Karin inspired me to really put all my effort in to this course and helped reignite my passion for writing. Koos was very organised and helpful. The course exceeded my expectations." Micharn Pollock, Magazine Journalism Course, May 2011 "Thank you for a very well structured course that is perfect for the guy with a busy schedule. My tutor was tough, on the ball and incredibly knowledgeable." Stanley Rorke, Magazine Journalism Course, May 2011 "The course is of a very high standard. Thank you for a helpful, motivating lecturer. I think you are doing a sterling job." Susan Botha, Grammar Skills Course, May 2011 "I believe what made the course work for me was Susan. She helped me a great deal and was encouraging and motivational at all times. The feedback was great and you could see that time was taken in the assessment and feedback. As one can see from my feedback, I really enjoyed the course." Allan Spear, The Writing Coach Course, June 2011 "Helen is great. It took me a while to feel ok about sending work. I imagined that she was rolling her eyes and trying to come up with positive comments even though she thought it was rubbish. I have gottten over that now. Helen has helped my confidence. The admin staff were wonderful. Prompt, efficient, friendly, also with useful feedback at the start and end of the course." Kay Fechney, The Basics of Creative Writing Course, June 2011 "Liesl Jobson is an interesting person and presented me with well thought out arguments. Her assistance helped and motivated me. This is a well-presented, good course." Benedikt Sebastian Jordaan, Introduction to Poetry, July 2011 "I am very happy with the feedback I received from Liesl. She was very helpful in making me realize that I can write poetry. All I need to do is write, write and write, so I can improve. She also made me realize how important it is for me to read poetry as this will help me to get better. Liesl taught me to write and analyze what I have written, and rewrite until I have a masterpiece." Francine Mashabela, Introduction to Poetry, July 2011 "This is a hassle free college, where you get constant feedback from your lecturer about your study progress! Just keep up the good work." Lungile Lugongolo, Hard News Journalism, May 2011 |
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SPOTLIGHT ON OUR TUTORS
Read an inspiring interview with our award-winning Skryf 'n roman kursus tutor, WILNA ADRIAANSE.
Find out more about our award-winning Write a Novel tutor CHARLOTTE RANDALL. |
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WINNER OF THE MY WRITING JOURNEY COMPETITION
Congratulations to New Zealand's Christie Williams for being the winner of June's My Writing Journey competition for her story about procrastination.
Christie won $200.00 and so can you! The next My Writing Journey competition closes on 30 September. Send your entries to Nichola Meyer at nichola@nzwriterscollege.co.nz.
Entry is open to any Writers' College newsletter reader from any country.
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WRITING EXCERPTS FROM OUR TRAVEL WRITERS
 Our Travel Writing graduates entice us to take a holiday. Take a sneak peak at some excerpts from their work:
Excerpt from 'La dolce vita in Chiessi' by Marcelle Balt (Travel Writing)
When in Rome... or so the saying goes. When in Chiessi, do as the locals do. Marcelle Balt and two friends discovered the sweetness of friendship and other surprises on their summer trip to Elba Island.
The summer sun was setting over Elba Island. It was perfect - except for a minor detail: we had nowhere to sleep. And just to underline the fact that our luck seemed to have run out, we were waiting for our absent hosts next to a smelly drain.
This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Our threesome had laughed its way onto the ferry from mainland Italy that morning, throwing planning to the wind. Elba was almost Italy where everyone loved us and life was easy - wasn't it? We'd shopped for groceries in Elba's harbour town of Portoferraio, bought some snorkels and beach bats. Now darkness was falling and we had nowhere to go.
How were we to know that Elba is packed during summer and that Italians who come here have their own private residences? There were no tourist resorts, no last-minute bookings. The authentic Italian villages along the coast were minding their own business.
'Colourful Kites 'n Flat Whites on the Capes' West Coast' by Dee During (Travel Writing)
The southeaster is building up to a howl as it sweeps through the streets of Cape Town. To many it's a curse, but for some it's a good reason to suit up and head for the beach instead of the office! If you're a kite surfer, it's west of Flamingo Vlei near the landmark Dolphin Beach Hotel, where the wind really blows. It's also the start of the new West Coast kite surfing and coffee route.
Stepping into the icy Atlantic may not sound all that tempting but for kite surfers the tug of the wind, the rip of a wave and a dream of getting airborne is too strong to resist. Now is the time to check out the wave size by 'gauging your average scales', making sure your equipment or 'chicken bones', is intact and prepare yourself for a future 'kite hangover' from too much sun and surf. |
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EXCERPTS FROM OUR CREATIVE WRITERS
This past quarter our budding authors explored complex family relations and the dynamics between a boss and her employee. Take a look...
Excerpt from Jenny Bertelsen's final assignment (Basics of Creative Writing)
Jacqui switched on the lights, the heavy steps of her red leather boots on the floorboards echoing through the deserted open-plan office of Latimer Events Ltd. Shadows moved down the brick walls of the renovated warehouse as the last light of the day faded behind the inner-city skyline. The smell of chicken korma take-away boxes still lingered from the designer rubbish bin in the corner.
'Only 21 cancellations. Is that a record?' Reaching over the white kitchen table, Jacqui grabbed a sheet of tissue paper to add to her apple green party bag.
'Out of 160 invites?' Eve Latimer poked a packet of lemongrass seeds next to the screensaver CD in her paper bag for the client spring function. 'I think it might be.'
'Well, you are the trendsetter for the season, you know...' Jacqui nudged her boss with her elbow. Eve pulled a face that gave her a triple chin. It made her look like a turkey with her new spiky grey hairdo.
'Oh, I know, darling!' Her fake hoity-toity accent made Jacqui snort with laughter. At the reception desk, the phone rang twice and clicked over to the after-hours service.
'I can't take all the credit though,' Eve said in her normal voice, patting Jacqui's shoulder before she put down her finished gift bag with the others on the floor.
Excerpt from Glenda Spackman's final assignment (Basics of Creative Writing)
Andrew looked past his father seated opposite him, at the million-dollar view through the floor-to-ceiling window. A small flotilla of yachts were racing each other under the Auckland Harbour Bridge and heading out towards the channel. Beyond the yachts, the perfectly round volcanic peak of Rangitoto Island rose out of the water. Andrew suddenly felt regret that he'd never own a home as lovely as this. He hoped he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life. The thought was gone as quickly as it had come.
'It's good to have you home again Son,' Geoffrey smiled broadly at Andrew as he handed him the platter of roast meat. 'Here, help yourself, you must be hungry.'
Andrew smiled thinly at his father. He felt irritated. His father was wearing Versace jeans and an aqua coloured Polo shirt he'd bought on his recent European holiday. Why did he always have to power dress, even when it was just the family at home?
Excerpt from Claire Cole's final assignment (Basics of Creative Writing)
Anna felt Isabel watching her as she entered the restaurant and suddenly wished she'd changed into a dress. She was still wearing her office suit but was glad she'd had the presence of mind to throw a pair of diamante earrings into her handbag that morning.
"Lovely to see you, Isabel," she bent down and the two gave each other a peck on the cheek. "Sorry I was a bit late - we had a last minute rush getting some things through production." Anna didn't know why she needed to explain. "This is a lovely restaurant, Isabel."
Isabel smiled in acknowledgement. She adjusted the flowers in the centrepiece slightly, as if it were her own arrangement. Anna wondered if she ever relaxed.
She would have preferred to go to Sundeep's but since Isabel had suggested and organised the dinner, they let her select the venue. It was their first real dinner together since the engagement.
It wasn't a large restaurant - boutique, Anna supposed, was the right word for it. It was decorated, no doubt by an expensive designer, in dark woods, soft creams and reds, like some old-fashioned gentlemen's club. A large white moth orchid sat atop the sideboard at one end of the room.
The waiter brought her drink and a basket of warm, yeasty bread. Isabel passed it around without taking a piece. Anna helped herself to two, buttered them and took a hearty bite of one. She could feel Isabel watching her chew, lips pursed. She imagined Isabel regaling Marjorie Tate about the daughter-in-law who eats carbs. |
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WRITING EXCERPTS FROM OUR MAGAZINE JOURNALISTS
Our journalism graduates are always out to find unique stories to inform and entertain. Here are some examples of their work:
Excerpt from 'What's Next at 90?' by Jackie Clark (Magazine Journalism)
'No, I don't do headstands. Not so hot for us 90-year-olds!' she says, laughing.
Perhaps not headstands, but when it comes to yoga there's still plenty Kay Martin can do. Others her age suffer from arthritic complaints, but Kay says she is 100 percent pain-free. 'I can move around without creaking,' she smiles.
Kay smiles a lot, and at 90, she has a lot to smile about. She lives in a light-filled apartment on Auckland's North Shore; practises - and teaches yoga; volunteers for the North Shore Hospice; goes to the gym; has gone wall climbing and flirted with the dangers of abseiling; is learning Maori; has recently returned from an overseas trip - and just got her driver's license renewed!
One of the things Kay credits for her wellness and zest for life is yoga. The other is good luck. A lack of choice in 1970's community classes led the then 53-year-old Kay to try yoga. It won the toss up over keep-fit classes; and Kay began a long-standing love affair with this mind-body practice that dates back over 3,000 years.
'If I have any regrets at all, they are that I didn't start [yoga] sooner! But it's never too late, Kay relates in the book she co-authored - Yoga, a practical approach for New Zealanders.
'School facilitators: a guide for parents' by Christine Briston (Magazine Journalism)
Peter sits near the back of the classroom quietly finishing his worksheet. Momentarily distracted by a car parking across the road, he returns to his work as a finger taps his desk. He fights to ignore the other children calling for the teacher's attention and tries to focus on the voice reading to him. An eraser flying across the room threatens to slow him down but again the tapping finger brings him back to the task at hand. Peter is one of the first to finish the worksheet and hands it proudly to Amanda, who smiles at him, compliments his neat handwriting and gives him another task to get on with. Meanwhile, the rest of the class remains in uproar as their teacher writes on the board.
An increasing number of parents are turning to women like Amanda to 'facilitate' their child's learning. Usually the child has been diagnosed with a learning disability such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These conditions are not so severe as to threaten the child's place in mainstream schools but do prevent him or her from coping with many of the challenges and distractions inherent in South African classrooms. A facilitator works one-on-one with the child, as discreetly as possible, allowing him or her to participate in social learning while offering the extra support the class teacher is unable to provide when facing class sizes of twenty-five and up.
Excerpt from 'I have a voice' by Meryl-Lynne Colborne (Magazine Journalism)
In the Oscar-winning movie The Kings Speech, the Duke of York approaches the microphone at Wembley Stadium to deliver a message from King George V. The bullet shaped microphone crackles. The red light flashes. He opens his mouth.
He spits out a garbled stammer, and then...nothing.
I slid off my armchair in an aching empathy. I do not have an actual speech impediment, but how often have I spluttered like that, and then silenced myself. Instead of making myself heard I bowed, I cowered, adapted like a chameleon, went with the flow, and kept the peace.
Until I was in pieces.
This, it appears, is typical of the passive style of communication. In his book, The Assertiveness Workbook: How to stand up for yourself at work and in relationships, Andy Paterson describes the passive style as, 'Going along with the crowd. Not offering your opinion until others have offered theirs. Never criticizing or giving negative feedback'. And the result? 'We give control over our lives to other people - even when we don't want to do so.'
Wendy, a senior secretary, appears confident in her power -suit and diva-licious nails. But that is where her confidence ends... |
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SHORT STORY AND NOVEL EXCERPTS
Here are some works in progress by our short story and novel writers... Enjoy!
Excerpts from our English students:
By Kay Wilson (Short Story Course)
The small figure was now kneeling and digging at something. After the carrots, Dan noted furiously. Damn, I should have brought a weapon, something just in case I need to whack him. He snuck along the hedge and attempted to slip in through the bean trellis. Dan's foot caught in the cross wires that helped support the structure, tripping him. As he fell forward in to the potatoes a shrill scream rang out. He jumped up and found himself face to face with his daughter. 'Erin what the hell are you doing out here?'
'Dad you gave me a fright.' She was shaking. 'Why did you jump out like that?'
'I thought you were burglar. I thought you were stealing our vegetables. What are you doing? Why aren't you in bed?' Neither moved. After a minute Erin said,
'I've got a wart.'
'You've got a what?'
'A wart Dad. An enormous giant wart, on my hand.'
'A wart! How does having a wart fit with a midnight trip to the garden for goodness' sake? What were you doing?'
'Everyone sees it, Dad. It's awfully ugly and the kids say things like witches have warts and that one wart makes many warts. They sing it at me, Dad. They say don't touch me all exaggerated and dramatic, and I hate them.' Erin was crying now. Her small body shook as she tried to breathe and talk all at once. She dragged her arm across her face, hair straggled from under her woollen hat.
'I still don't get it,' said Dan. 'What has a wart got to do with you being here in the middle of the night?' Erin pulled her jacket tightly around her body. She folded her arms and looked at him.
'Mike said that his mother said the only way to get rid of a wart is to bury a piece of bacon in the garden at midnight when there is a full moon.' Dan started to laugh then managed to stop himself. Erin took life very seriously and, as it is for most eight-year-olds, the importance of belonging to the crowd was a very serious business. Being cast out because of a wart was no laughing matter.
By Natasha Singleton (Short Story Course)
Her gaze fell upon Solfie where she lay peacefully purring in front of her. If Solfie is not worried then I don't have to be, she tried to convinced herself. Before her nerves could calm down, Solfie hissed, and stormed away, slamming into the door first before bolting again. Only after Solfie had bolted did the sound come. The scratching sounds like before and worse, footsteps breaking the dry leaves on the grass.
Unable to breath, with eyes closed, Sarah's mind rushed over images of her life, how happy she truly was even though she always had something to moan about. How fortunate she had been all this time and everything she took for granted. Images of all the things she still wanted to do in her life, things to accomplish and unfinished business to deal with.
A thought of her mother and the fight they had just a few days ago over the phone struck her right in the stomach. Will she have the chance to make amends? All of these were hard to face and Sarah knew she had to do something. The last thing she wanted was to be caught in a corner. She would fight for her right to live. That very thought made her snap back to reality and she somehow managed to move out of bed and run to the living room. She could hear more noises coming from the front door.
Falling over a pillow on the ground, crawling the rest of the way to the couch where her cell phone last was, Sarah swore under her breath when she couldn't find it. The footsteps were getting closer.
Excerpts from our Afrikaans students:
Deur Joanita Erasmus (Basiese Kreatiewe Skryfkursus)
Die derde kamer is onbeset. Wanneer Cara die laaste van die twee deure oopstoot, omvou die hout- en vlermuispiepie-reuk haar - nostalgies, soos in die nou, steil trapgangetjie van 'n ou plattelandse kerkgebou waar sy haar eerste orrellesse gehad het. Die grootste gedeelte van die kamertjie bestaan uit 'n houtkas - 'n tonteldoos vol fluite en trompette en prestante wat hoopvol, regop in hul pyp-gelid, smagtend wag op asem - en vingers. Die swart en wit van die klawers in omgekeerd - c tot b swart, soos in 'n brandverwoesde vallei; die boonste klawers soos witgekalkte bywonershuisies in yl nedersettings van twee's en drie's.
Cara pak haar orrelboeke uit en balanseer haarself dan soos 'n reier, eers op die een en dan op die ander been, terwyl sy haar orrelskoene aantrek. Dan neem sy agter die orrel plaas en druk die groen knoppie. Onder die venster, boepens-rond, begin die elektriese windmotor dreunsing. Die tonteldoos maak sy longe vol. Ongemaklik skuif sy rond. Te ver. Haar kuite vorm nie die negentig grade hoek met die boonste pedale soos wat dit moet nie. Linkervoet op C, regtervoet op G, lig sy haarself op en trek die bank nader - terwyl die vyfde interval haar brullend verklik. Die staalkas in die hoek vibreer irriterend en polifonies saam. Sy weet dat mens nooit op die pedale behoort te staan nie.
Deur Winrie Kruger (Skryf 'n roman kursus)
Mollie maak stadig haar oë oop. Die verblindende lig laat 'n pyn deur haar kop skiet. Sy sit versigtig regop. Met een hand hou sy haar kop vas terwyl die ander haar rug vryf. Beulah se duur leerbank is pragtig om na te kyk, maar nie die gemaklikste om op te slaap nie. Versigtig om nie te hard te dink nie probeer sy onthou hoe sy hier opgeëindig het. Al wat sy weet is dat dit heeltemal te veel wyn ingesluit het. Dit alles oor 'n simpel mansmens!
'Môre sunshine!' Beulah kom op-en-wakker by die sitkamer ingewals. Sy dra 'n skinkbord met drie koppies koffie. Die sterk koffie ruik wonderlik en Mollie voel hoe haar maag bietjie terugsak.
Deur Juan Botha (Skryf 'n roman kursus)
Die grondpad loop vir 'n paar kilometer tussen verskeie plase deur en hy is so besig om op die pad te konsentreer dat hy hom nie aan die motor langs die pad steur nie. Hy loer egter in sy truspieëltjie toe daar skielik lig van agter hom kom. Die ander motor bestuurder het sy kar se spreiligte aangesit. Na alles wat al die nag gebeur het, is hy dadelik op sy hoede en trap die versneller net 'n klein bietjie dieper, terwyl hy elke paar sekondes na agter loer. Miskien het hulle toevallig weggetrek net nadat hy verby is. Dalk is hulle op pad na een van die plase toe. Maar dis duidelik nie die geval nie, toe hy weer terugkyk en sien hoe hulle hom vinnig begin inhaal en intussen na die ander kant van die pad toe oorgegaan het.
Gereed vir enigiets, haal hy sy voet effens van die versneller af om te kyk of hulle wil verbykom. Die ander motor is baie vinnig reg langs hom. Dis 'n Toyota Cressida. Hulle maak die model al vir 'n klompie jare nie meer nie, maar hy weet die motors het destyds goeie enjins ingehad. Hy sien twee mans voor in die motor en knik sy kop beleef in hul rigting. Die een aan die linkerkant gee hom 'n halwe glimlag en beduie iets vir die bestuurder, wat vet gee sodat die Cressida by sy Audi verby seil en weer voor hom in die pad trek. Die Toyota hou aan versnel en 'n paar oomblikke later kan hy nog net die agterligte sien voor hulle om 'n draai in die pad verdwyn.
Hy blaas sy asem verlig uit en raas met homself, wat so neuroties is. Hoekom sal iemand hom agtervolg? Hulle weet nie eens hoe hy lyk nie en hy is oortuig hulle weet nie daar was iemand by die hut nie. |
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DON'T FORGET TO ENTER!
 The NZ WRITERS' COLLEGE 2011 Annual Short Story Competition
For Emerging Writers in New Zealand and Australia
This competition is to acknowledge excellence in creative writing in the short story genre. The contest is open to any beginner writer residing in New Zealand or Australia, who is unpublished or who has had fewer than four stories/articles published in any format (print or digital).
PRIZES:
First prize: $1000.00
Second Prize: $500.00
Top two entries will be published on our college site and the top five winners will receive individual editorial feedback on their submitted work.
DEADLINE: 30 September 2011
Entry is free.
THEME:
'The Curveball'
GUIDELINES FOR ENTRIES
- Entry is limited to New Zealand and Australian residents only.
- Entrants must submit a story of maximum word count: 2000 words. Any entries exceeding the word count by 50 words will not be considered.
- We only accept stories from writers who have been published fewer than four times in any genre, in any publication (for payment or otherwise).
- Stories must not have been previously published. Entrants must own full copyright to the story submitted.
- Only one story per entrant is allowed.
- Only e-mail submissions are acceptable, with stories attached as Word Documents. Mark your entry clearly with the subject line: NZWC Annual Short Story Competition, and submit according to rules below.
- If you have not received an acknowledgement of your submission within three days, please re-send your entry.
- All submissions must be sent to Nichola Meyer: nichola@nzwriterscollege.co.nz
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WHAT'S NEW AT THE WRITERS' COLLEGE
We all know that writing is a skill that needs to be practised and honed daily. And the fact that there are so many different kinds of writing out there means that we all need to master a diversity of skills for each aspect of our professions. This is why our bloggers supply you, the aspiring writer, with the latest information, including tips, tools, and tricks of the trade, across all spheres of the industry.
Here are some excerpts from our most recent blogs (for over 100 articles on creative writing, journalism and New Media and Web writing, visit our blog site):
 BUSINESS EMAILS THAT SELL
Lynn Gaertner-Johnston is a business writing trainer. She comes up with these 12 essential rules for e-mails on her blog: Businesswritingblog.com.
- Grab the client in the subject line and opening sentence. Create a reason to open the email and read it.
- Focus on just one purpose in each message. Don't make the client (or you as the writer) go in different directions.
- Focus on you-not on I, we, or your company. Clients focus on themselves-so should you.
- Describe benefits to your client-not features or deliverables. Excite your client with possibilities.
Read the rest
WRITING EFFECTIVE HEADLINES FOR THE WEB
Writing effective headlines for the Web is really important for anyone wanting to learn the art (and science) of good Web writing. There are many differences between Web headlines and print headlines:
Print Headlines should be Sharp
In print, page presentation, images and accompanying text can increase a headline's impact. Words like "BIG CRASH" make sense in fat bold letters above a photo of car accident. Print headlines have impact and presence and can be great for getting people to notice stories. (Keep this in your mind).
Read the rest
In an ideal world we'd all be retired, living at the coast and using the sound of the waves to inspire us to write all day everyday. However, reality dictates that we juggle multiple tasks daily, over and above our writing ambitions. Take a look at this series of blogs on Time Management to help put your priorities in perspective.
TIPS FOR BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT SERIES
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ENTER THESE C0MPETITIONS
 Competitions are a great way to stay motivated, inspired and focused. There are plenty of competitions out there so get cracking! Here are some sites to get you started:
Closing date: 30 September 2011
Closing date: 30 August 2011
Closing date: 31 August 2011
Closing date: 31 October 2011
Is your writing aimed more for your local readership? Entries to country-specific competitions can be found on the bottom right-hand corner of our individual home pages:
www.sawriterscollege.co.za
www.nzwriterscollege.co.nz
www.ukwriterscollege.co.uk. |
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