PYA Children's Author Group meeting, 17th February 2022 at 2.30pm

The next Children's Author Group meeting will be held by Zoom on the above date and time. We'll be reading out pre-prepared short stories (under 700 words) on the theme of Children's Sci-Fi (from picture books to Young Adult).

Please bring along your story to read and, if you prefer, post it in the comments of this blog for others to view before the meeting.

If you don't have a story prepared don't let that stop you attending - we'd love you to contribute to the discussions. You'll find the details for the Zoom meeting in the events section of our members Facebook page (you need to be a member to view this - join us via our website).

Hope to see you there.

Snippets from Past PYA Writers' Support Group meetings

Twice each month PYA runs the Writers' Support Group hosted by Helen Johnson - see our blog page for more information.

This blog post provides some nuggets of gold to help you in your writing journey - all extracted from discussions at past Writers' Support Group sessions.

Book Blurbs

A book blurb is the book description that appears on your Amazon (or other seller's) page and/or on the back of the paperback or hardback book. They are notoriously difficult to write for an author who has produced their novel - more a marketing statement than a synopsis - aimed at a reader to solicit further interest.

Here's what was discussed at a Writers' Support Group meeting.

• They should be short - a couple of paragraphs.
• The first sentence should be arresting or inject intrigue.
• The main character should be introduced.
• The main conflict or premise for the story should be introduced.
• Finish with a twist, hook or question - make the reader want to read your book.

A Character's interaction with the environment

A much used literary tool is to define a character by the way that he or she (or it) interacts with the environment - how do they make others feel?

Dampness hung in the air and the kids sensed the imminent arrival of Tanwen, their mother and Padrig's mate.

Whoosh-whoosh.

Iona heard it first and wrapped her wings around her, a protective stance, while brother Carwyn, smaller than his sister but older, stood proud. He would not be intimidated by the arrival of the Fire Manon, queen of their kind and his mother.

People don't always say what they mean

Sometimes characters have hidden motives or there is a sub-context at work, something for the reader to sense.

Megan bounded over to Billy as he opened the door and shouted, 'I'm home.'

Silence, except for Megan's claws scratching against the bare floorboards. Billy walked through to the lounge where Amy was seated on the couch. Megan darted between the couple as Amy glanced up from her book, smiled and continued reading.'

'Something up?'

Amy placed a bookmark in her novel before closing it and staring at her partner of four years.

'Have I done something?'

Amy stood and said, 'Toad in the hole this evening.'

Billy peered at the dog - something for you Megan. 'I thought we might eat at the pub.'

'Did you?'

'It's been a while.'

'Didn't you eat lunch today?'

'No didn't get out, too busy.'

'Right.'

What does that mean? Megan jumped onto Billy's lap as he sat next to Amy as she shuffled away from him.

'I spoke to Ella earlier. Will visited that new bistro for lunch, just up the road from where you work Billy.'

'Right.'

Amy stared at Billy who examined his hands.

Writing Short Stories

Writing short stories can be difficult - they are different to full size novels and here are some of the issues that came up in discussion:

• The tale needs to have a recognisable character.
• The setting needs to be integral to the character.
• Dribble out information and create a twist at the end.
• Write in 3rd person, or 3rd person close up (from a single view point).
• Create a theme - maybe a moral or take away for the story.
• Compress the story - a relentless focus on one event.
  

Notes of the Meeting of the Children's Author Group 20th January 2022

Thanks to everyone who attended the Children's Author Group meeting of 21st January at 2.30pm hosted by Linda Jones.

The well attended meeting discussed writing Children's Sci-Fi, from picture books up to Young Adult in preparation for the next meeting of 17th February when group members will bring along a short piece (no more than 700 words) on this theme to read out, or post in our blog ahead of the meeting - if you need help on how to do this please contact Paul Smith.

We decided to hold monthly meetings, one dedicated to reviewing the short stories we've produced to a theme and the following dedicated to discussing the next theme or topics of help to members of the group.

I promised to post the notes Neelie produced from the last meeting and you'll find them on our blog too.

Paul Smith

PYA's Post-Pandemic Venture Out
The Promoting Yorkshire Author Book Fare, Saturday 14th May in Harrogate

PYA is venturing out (subject to Covid Restrictions) for a book fair in Harrogate on Saturday 14th May. See our blog page for more information and if you are interested in being at the event.

Notes from 14th October meeting of the Children's Author Group - Science Fiction Genre

To help with our task for a subsequent meeting, here are a few notes about what we should consider when writing science fiction for children.

Writers of science fiction can manipulate settings to fit narratives or make up new/imaginary settings. BUT, readers have to believe what they are reading even if it seems implausible. The characters and the story should describe something that occurs in the future that is based on things that already exisit today. Science fiction takes existing scientific principles and theories and uses them in the plot. The characters must be believable even when the setting if far fetched.
Subgenres of science fiction include apocalypse, space travel, utopia/distopia.
Science fiction is usually targeted to older children and the formats that work best for it include graphics novels, middle grade and young adult books.

The Elements of Science Fiction

1. Science fiction is a genre in which the stories often tell about science and technology of the future.
2. Texts are often set in the future, in space, on a different world, or in a different universe or dimension.
3. It has a relationship with the principles of science. These stories involve partially true and partially fictitious laws or theories of science. It should not be completely unbelievable because it then ventures into the fantasy genre.
4. The plot creates situations different from those of both the present day and the known past – the characters will experience something new and unique.
5. Texts also include a human element, explaining what effect new discoveries, happenings and scientific developments will have on humanity in the future.
6. Science fiction contains the usual elements of a novel; a specific setting, character development, plot (central conflict, complications, climatic events, resolution), themes and structure.

The return of the PYA Book Club this time featuring 'A Fistful Of Feathers: Book 1 of the Fraser Chronicles by Linda Jones' available from Amazon.

SATURDAY, 5 MARCH 2022 AT 15:00 BY ZOOM - Join PYA to obtain Zoom link for this session.

Please download and read the book or buy the paperback before the meeting and come prepared to give your opinions on the story.

 

We hope you'll join in and support our members but - even if you haven't read the book - please come along anyway and join in the discussion.