As a publication, we’re pretty keen on helping writers out. We like to nurture and encourage those making their first pitches, provide a platform for those bulking up their portfolios, and enable the experienced wordsmiths to regularly get their work out there. Basically, we exist to give opportunities to writers – which is why we were so thrilled to become an official media partner of the Play Now Act Now festival, back in May. Play Now Act Now is an arts festival open to 16-25 year olds giving emerging writers, designers and filmmakers the chance to do what they do best – create. Above you can see their latest vodcast (number 4). In it, writer/performer Miles Merrill discusses the creative process and gives a reading of one of his works. And below you’re about to meet two of our writers who, sans performance, will walk you through their own creative writing process.
Although we’re a magazine and therefore not technically fiction-focused, a lot of our regular contributors are in fact, creative writers. We are lucky enough to have poets, novelists, screenwriters, both published and aspiring, who, on the side, write film reviews, travel articles and socio-political pieces for this little mag. And we are even luckier that six of those marvellous writers, have agreed to talk to us about the process of creative writing.
So if you want to be a writer and you’re not sure what the next step is, or you just need to know you’re not alone, sitting in front of your computer at 4am, slowly losing your mind, then you need to stay abreast of this three part series. We’re kicking off with two fantastic girls …
Jess Paine & Therese Raft
Jess Paine
Tell us a little about yourself …
Like so many aspiring writers I ended up studying journalism because I also want to eat. Creativity is the dirty secret most journos harbour – for those who can’t keep it in check, it can lead to an appearance on Media Watch.
What are you working on right now?
I tend to have several projects brewing in several notebooks at once. I am on the 4th draft of a novel manuscript, the 1st draft of another and at various stages on 3 screenplays. It helps that their content is very different, so if I have stalled on something and need to mull it for a while, or just need to shift gears there’s something else to concentrate on in between boiling water, making tea and drinking tea repeatedly.
What are you planning on doing with what you’re working on?
I am currently trying to convince someone somewhere to read my full novel manuscript. Of course if you want to be a writer, you have to be the kind of person that does it whether or not it will ever be published – you’re doing it for the love of the game. However, if you bother doing several drafts of something, it’s rarely enough to give yourself a mental high-five and put it away to gather dust. Unfortunately there’s still a long, frustrating road ahead.
Do you have an agent, are you planning on getting one, do you think they’re necessary?
I am trying to get an agent, but in many ways it’s just as hard as getting published. I think finding a good agent is always going to help – it’s a confidence boost, and now you have someone else committed to helping you. Not having an agent shouldn’t stop you though, it’s just one avenue you can try.
What about joining groups and clubs and associations?
While writing is largely a solitary exercise, finding yourself a posse of like-minded sounding-boards is rather important (in order to stay sane). It doesn’t have to be a formal group, but at least one or two people who you can rely on to be brutally honest and constructive. In turn, it’s really useful to read other people’s material in progress – seeing what works and doesn’t work for them can help you to spot it in your own attempts.
Take us through the process of creating you current project – the time frame, the tears, the sweat, the cups of tea and glasses of wine.
Every project has its own way of evolving. My most polished manuscript started with a first chapter I wrote by hand in a notebook that caught my fancy because it was red. I carried that book with me for a couple of years, mulling the prospects of the character and where she was going, then I jotted down a loose plot. From that point the first draft took about 7-8 months of snatched moments in between shift work. I put it away for a couple of months, then came back to review/re-write. That seems to be the way I work – I currently have four other first chapters I am thinking about. I wrote the one I’m currently expanding on in Christmas 2008. I think it’s because first chapters are everything in terms of character and tone, so are a fairly healthy summary of that first kernel of an idea.
If someone came to you and asked for your advice on achieving the writerly dream, what would you say?
I assume the writerly dream is the ability to support yourself with your words. As I am nowhere near that, I am not in a position to provide sage advice.
In summation …
The publishing industry is a bitch to crack – I suppose it’s how they weed out anyone who isn’t fully committed (thank God Lauren Conrad really toughed it out, she’s an inspiration). Fortunately there are always people looking for emerging writers, unfortunately it is almost 100% luck that they’ll find you. The key is to remember that being found isn’t why you’re doing it. You’re doing it because it’s a habit you can’t kick, you have stories to tell and there’s always the possibility that you’re getting better at it.
Check out …
Australian Literary Agents’ Association
Therese Raft
Tell us a little about yourself …
I’m from Sydney – a fantastic melting pot of inspiration. I work in Corporate PR, edit a student magazine and am just finishing my Masters in Creative Writing at Macquarie University.
What are you working on right now?
I have two manuscripts in different stages of production. I write chick lit, with an emphasis on romance and an element of noir and/or the absurd. The manuscript I am currently working on the most is for my Masters and is about a young woman sleuthing into the history of her family and learning some difficult home truths about her nearest and dearest. Lies, murder and matriarchies. All the things that would keep me turning the page.
What are you planning on doing with what you’re working on?
Put it in a drawer? Actually that might not be a bad idea. I might put it aside for a while – just long enough for all the characters and scenes to vacate my brain – then I’ll edit it. After that, I’ll try and get published.
Do you have an agent, are you planning on getting one, do you think they’re necessary?
I don’t have one, but I’m learning what they are and what they do. For someone like me, who doesn’t have any contacts, I would think an agent would be invaluable for opening doors. And what if someone wants to turn my book into a movie? Or a television series? (Obviously I like to plan ahead). I don’t know what needs to go into a contract to protect my literary or monetary rights. I NEED AN AGENT!
What about joining groups and clubs and associations?
I’ve always seen writing as a reasonably lonely process. You tell your friends and family you can’t come out this weekend and go into hyper-drive in front of the computer – and you do it alone. So I’ve never seen a huge need to socialise with other writers, although I do join relevant associations that have regular events. It’s important to keep abreast of new trends and to keep your skills sharp.
Take us through the process of creating you current project – the time frame, the tears, the sweat, the cups of tea and glasses of wine.
I don’t know about there being any tears, but there were certainly many glasses of wine and evenings glaring at the computer screen. I spent six months rewriting the first 5,000 words of my most recent manuscript because I couldn’t get the characters, the tone or the scene quite right. But sometimes all you need is time, and eventually I had a break through and the characters were where they needed to be for the story to work and the narrative progressed quickly. From there it was a bit of a head down, bum up kind of scenario. I came home from my day job and start typing. I woke up on my days off and I start typing. When I travel on public transport I pull out my notebook and write. Once you’ve hit a creative streak you can’t let any moment slip by without filling it with words.
If someone came to you and asked for your advice on achieving the writerly dream, what would you say?
Don’t take too much on at one time. Writing is a full time job in itself and your characters demand a lot of attention, so take a deep breath and think about whether or not you can give your manuscript the time it deserves.
Be patient. Your first draft won’t be perfect. Your second one might not be either.
Take criticism in the spirit it is intended – to make your manuscript the best darn story it can be.
Carry a notebook with you at all times. You can’t trust your memory to recall an event or a quote just how you want to use it as it happens in real life. I’ve been known to stop in the middle of street, crouch down and start writing. Totally worth it when I get back to my computer.
In summation …
I write because there are dozens of stories going through my head every day and if I didn’t just focus on one and write it down, my head might explode. Writing, more so being published, might be an elusive dream, but it would be a lovely way to spend a life – using your imagination to its fullest extent. I think I’m quite lucky. I write romance/chick lit, which is the second largest selling genre in the world. They are always looking for new writers – so all I need is that agent to get my foot in the door.
Check out …
For romance writers: Romance Writers of Australia www.romanceaustralia.com
Main image by Andy Siharath on Flickr
