Promoting Yorkshire Authors

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.