Friday 31 January 2014

How to win a short story competiton

Subject matters?
You’ve posted off the final draft of your short story to yet another writing competition, paying attention to all the ingredients you know judges look for - like structure, plot, pacing, characterisation, dialogue, and language.  But how important is your choice of subject? Will it engage your readers - or alienate them?  What themes do you intend to explore in your story? And what part does subjectivity play in the decision-making process?  After all, writing competition judges are human beings, aren’t they?........(click link for rest of article) http://www.wordswithjam.co.uk/2014/01/subject-matters-how-to-win-short-story.html

This is the start of my article about winning short story competitions, in the current issue of the excellent Words with JAM - packed with useful info for writers.  If you want to check it out, here is the link
http://www.wordswithjam.co.uk/2014/01/subject-matters-how-to-win-short-story.html


Related posts:
http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/words-with-jam-how-to-make-time-for.html

Sunday 26 January 2014

History, Harvey and Folkestone

I've written a piece for the British Society for History of Science (BSHS) Travel Guide about the "father of modern medicine", William Harvey, which was inspired by the year I lived in Folkestone.   
It's a bit different from the kind of article I have written before.  The Travel Guide is a great source for anyone interested in visiting places with ties to the history of science, technology and medicine, anywhere in the world.

Click on the link to take a look.
http://www.bshs.org.uk/travel-guide/william-harvey-statue


photo Jane Ayres

Tuesday 14 January 2014

NEW! Valentine Horse: cover reveal!

This is the time of year when I am (still) reflecting on the past and considering what the future holds. Lots of thinking, which will, in due course, become articulated through the medium of words.  Until then, here is a sneak preview of the cover (by designer Klaus Hartleben) of my next book, Valentine Horse.  Aimed at older children, teens and young adults, this is a horse story with a strong element of romance. The title will be available by - you've guessed it - Valentine's Day!  Watch this space for more....




Friday 10 January 2014

Lisbon, milko and blue skies

photo Roger Hyland

Today you will find me over at website Travel Expert with a short piece all about chilling out and daydreaming in Lisbon.  Click the link to read the piece.  A lovely travel site!

http://travelexpert.org.uk/lisbon-milko-blue-skies/

photo Jane Ayres