Some writing tips

I really didn't plan to write about writing, because it is so subjective. 

You can't tell an artist a picture is good or bad because you don't understand or appreciate it. The same rules apply for many creative professions, but there are some things I found were really useful in my experience as a writer so far, that I wanted to pass on. I'm no expert, just a girl with some ideas looking to share some knowledge. 

One of the biggest assumptions people make when they ask me about writing is; that anyone can write - it's the story that bares the skill - not the writer. 

Although I don't agree with this entirely, the story or plot in any case has to be substantial to make a good piece of writing. However that is also relying on the assumption that all writing is solely observation based. Whilst this contributes to a large portion of my writing it is dangerous to rely completely on events you have seen first hand for inspiration.  

Primary research is hugely valid but often more to base characters on or to help add depth and description to fictional people or places. 

A good writer is able to imagine invent and contextualise plots of their own original creation. Which is not something EVERYONE can do well.

Here is my best piece of advice to any fellow writers - 

Constantly challenge yourself. 

If you don't, your writing will eventually become complacent, dull and less effective. In the competitive world of publishing it is essential to be current, and to know what is current. 

1. News - watch it a constantly changing story machine. Occasionally tabloid newspapers provide some ridiculous Gems that beg to be written about. News is important not only for inspiration - but for information. Market trends and bestsellers often make the headlines and it is important to know who's at the top and what they are writing about. 

2. Books - often have interesting information regarding publishing and even writers magazines have some useful articles on being self-employed, some even have writing jobs posted in them and profiles on writers which can be very interesting.

 

3. Competitions - pageant of the writing world - challenge your genre, write for other genres and in other styles, a good way to network and become recognised. 

4. Peer review - A hugely underestimated but valuable element of being a writer which can often be a very solitary profession, writers groups or online forums are a good place to share ideas are work and get feedback as well as people you may know as long as they are going to give you an honest opinion and not sugarcoat something in order to not mislead your feelings. This is a good way of testing whether or not an idea actually works or whether it works only in your head. 

5. Library's - read new stuff for free - support local recourses and add to your knowledge! Also good for networking with other writers/groups! 

6. Plan - make plans for stories or non fiction, sometimes ideas for pieces strike us when we don't have time to complete them, make notes and head back to them when you have the time to write. 

7. Observe - primary research! Observe everything and challenge your own perspectives. Just this morning I overheard a couple arguing on whether getting really angry during breastfeeding makes your breastmilk fizzy? Yep. Comedy gold. 

8. Schedule - don't waste time, but MAKE time to write for an hour a day, In the evening before bed or before everyone else gets up in the morning. This can be a very cathartic exercise and also keeps your brain actively working and creating. 

9. Consider professional training such as university or an evening course in writing, this is that essential but can provide some valuable industry experience from professionals already in the field, I completed my degree in professional writing and found the experience life changing. It helped me find my own style and realise my message. Although this isn't an essential element of being a writer it is worth considering if you are in a position to do so. 

10. Lastly, a piece of advice from a man who taught me everything about writing at university, "write what you like, failing that, write what you know". Expanding your repertoire is important but so is writing about what you know, fly fishing, baking or fantasy elves. It's all good! So  expand what you know and write about it.

August Wish List

August is undoubtably a summer month, but many retailers being out their A/W lines around this time, here are two of my favourites. 

Ocean Green Kanken Classic - available at ilovemykanken.com £70 

I already have several of these bags but I cannot resist this beauty. Firstly my entire room is this colour, which I love! And secondly I use a Kanken daily and adding this colour to my collection is only going to be an excellent decision. 

Kanken often have offers on and currently they have 15% off with code-  bonus15 at the checkout. 

My second find - and a favourite brand of mine, it's got to be Dr Martens. 

These shoes are part of the new A/W line for 2015 and I was instantly in love. My only hope is that they aren't too pointy in person! Available at Drmartens.com for £115. 

I would wear these all the time with anything! My new job in September needs me to wear flat shoes (I'm on my feet all day) and I think these would make excellent feature piece in any outfit. 

Autumn is my favourite season, and I am now making a conscious effort to buy more "season transferable" pieces. 

Which I believe these two are! So hurry up payday... 

Rain City - Chest tattoo reworked.

My chest piece was the first BIG tattoo I got, as an ambitious 18 year old with hard earned wages to burn. 

This tattoo was the first I got from tattoo artist Gre Hale. Over the next six years I visited various shops he worked in, adding to my collection of body art.

I loved the design , to this day I love it. But six years on, it's in need of a little maintenance work. Pregnancy, weight gain/loss and general sun / ageing damage have affected my chest piece. 

This photo was taken before I got my chest relined. 

The roses, butterflies and throat flower are all relatively new (2015) which has added to the contrast between my newer and older pieces. The photo shows how the colours although well preserved do show signs of fading - as all tattoos will eventually. 

Gre who made this chest piece, saw a picture of it recently and offered to reline/shade it so that the tattoos all fit together a little better. 

So I headed off to Manchester, Rain City tattoo where Gre currently works. 

It really really hurt. Way worse than I had prepared myself for. I now idea how my 18 year old self coped. I winced and whined for just over 2 hours. 

I am beyond happy with the result, the tattoo is now as defined as my other pieces and all I had was relining and shading. I am waiting to see how the tattoo heals and settles before deciding on weather to redo the colour as well. 

I have had a lot of cover ups over my tattoos over the years but I did not want to part with my chest piece, it means so much to me and it was properly tattooed in the first place which meant I only required a two hour sitting to give me exactly what I wanted. I would urge anyone to consider reworking a tattoo before jumping to a coverup. 

Speaking as someone who has had both, it obviously depends on many different factors and is very specific to each individual/tattoo. 

Healed photos to come in a few weeks time!