Win a copy of my creative writing guide in time for Christmas
Hurray! I’ve made it past the 200 ‘likes’ milestone on my creative writing facebook page. As promised I’m going to give away a paperback copy of BACK TO CREATIVE WRITING SCHOOL to one lucky reader. All you have to do is leave a comment HERE but as this is a creative writing guide and it’s Christmas I thought we should have some fun with it.
I want you to write the first sentence of a novel that has never been written. The opening of a novel is supposed to intrigue the reader, encourage them to read on. It’s hard to write and takes a lot of time to get it right (which is why authors often revise it so often it is actually the last thing written).
Now I don’t expect anyone to dash off a brilliant first sentence – you’re busy, you have presents to buy and wrap, you have meals to plan and journeys to map out, reindeer to feed, all sorts of stuff. But you can dash off a rotten opening sentence to a novel that will never be written. Dull, turgid, boring. A sentence that guarantees a casual reader would put the book straight back on the library or shop shelf…
It’s still going to be a lucky dip, so no one is going to judge what you write but it will be fun to read everyone’s contribution. And it’s open to everyone anywhere. So, spread the word and have a go. Closing date next Thursday December 11th – I’ll send the book out next Friday so you should have it in time for Christmas (might make an extra present under the tree…)
And if you want to see what you might be getting, the first exercise in the book is at the bottom of the column on the left hand side. If you don’t like that, there’s probably no point bothering to have a go at the giveaway…
And remember I want a bad opening sentence
Good luck!
photo credit: Gloson via photopin cc
photo credit: __MaRiNa__ via photopin cc
14 comments on “Win a copy of my creative writing guide in time for Christmas”
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BACK TO CREATIVE WRITING SCHOOL — 120+ reviews on Amazon and over 75% gave it five stars
A Good Confession
"Unputdownable" Miriam Stoppard
Moi? I am incapable of doing anything less than brilliant xxx
Well, that’s just going to have to do! (It’s quite a challenge to write something really dire!)
And it’s a lucky dip. So anything goes – even good stuff!
In the right side there is a cupboard, in the left a big mirror. The curtain is brown and full of dust. Kate is sitting in the middle of the room with the bare foot on the old, fad colour carpet….. .
That’s brilliant Shiva (if far too good). I’m going to stick it on the facebook site so others can see it.
https://www.facebook.com/creativewritingschool
The sky was grey, and the tree sat in the middle of the forest where it had been for the last hundred years. I yawned.
Oh that’s pretty good – in a bad sort of way!!
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
Reblogged this on MARSocial Author Business Enhancement Interviews.
The thing about the monstrosity that walked the verdant countryside by day, and stalked its shadowed fields by night, was that not only did it belong to the very land it skulked – but the scape of greenery had been its family’s legacy for generations.
(I take it poor descriptors, bad punctuation, an inconsistent ‘voice’, and a run-on sentence all count toward building a poor opening line? – See, now I’ve formed a terrible habit! LOL) Enjoy your shopping, gift wrapping, trip planning, reindeer feeding, and most of all, have a Wonderful Holiday Season!
Delicious – I’ve posted it on my facebook page as well so veryone can see it (and learn!)
Reblogged this on Julie Wow: Wit or Wittering? and commented:
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to win a copy of Bridget Whelan’s ‘Back to Creative Writing School’, which might just give you the kick start you need to inspire your own writing in the New Year. See her post to find out how:
Thanks for reblogging
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