I'm delighted to unveil Writing Short Stories: A Writers & Artists Companion, co-written and co-edited by Courttia Newland and me, and with 20 VERY FINE guest writers in the centre. It's all about writing and all about short stories, from so many angles and perspectives, and with no "shoulds" and no "rules", and perhaps a little ranting (by me) about the "shoulds" and the "rules" that tried to deny me permission in the past. Permission. Something to be given. Yup.
Anyway, to celebrate, I'm going to give away a copy and all you have to do is comment here (by Jan 1st) and tell us who or what gave YOU permission, in some way, in your life. Am happy to post anywhere in the world. Dang, I'm feeling generous!
The book is published by Bloomsbury, and on Feb 25th in London, I'll be interviewing three AMAZING Bloomsbury short story writers - Jon McGregor, Lucy Wood and Eliza Roberston - about that very subject, permission and risk, in their own writings, so do come along, share your stories with us. More information here.
I'm reading at Loose Muse on Wed Jan 14th, at the Poetry Cafe in London, would be lovely to see you there, too!
Don't forget to comment to be in with a chance of winning a book...
12 comments:
I was coming 40. That's what gave me permission to try writing for publication. The fear of not trying finally became greater than the fear of trying.
Congratulations on your beautiful book. It sounds very helpful and encouraging.
With my writing, I think it was my other self, the more confident one, that finally gave me permission to use my own voice by asking, as I revised my stories, "Aren't you holding back?"
Ah, taking an online short-story-writing course provided the motivation to get busy, and also gave me 'internal permission' to hive off away from straight but boring stories into experimenting with darker and wilder short fiction. Never looked back! Very best wishes for the success of Writing Short Stories.
What a great book! Fantastic : )
Other writers who write in a similar style and rebel a bit give me permission. Especially when they gain a lot of praise for it. 'A girl is a half formed thing' impressed me due to the sheer freedom of style and subject matter. So Eimear McBride has given me permission to be free in my writing.
Thank you, all, what wonderful permissions, internal and external! Thank you for sharing!
I don't remember who it was who gave me permission to write badly. 'Write the story, no matter how messy it comes out,' the person told me. I'm sorry I don't remember who it was because it's the single most helpful writing advice anyone has ever given me. Whenever necessary, I write a sticky note to myself to remind myself I have permission to write badly. Works a treat.
Congratulations on the book!
Would love a copy of the book! The short story form is the most difficult of all - how to tell everything in a few words. I also love the fact that you aren't being prescriptive and giving out rules. Congratulations on the book!
Congratulations on your new book! Please can my name go into the hat, Tania? The person who gave me permission to write was my first English teacher at secondary school, Mr Target. Great name! He told my trouble making class to just shut up and listen, and read out a piece without telling us who had written it. It was mine.
I had a teacher, once, who told me I was a born writer. I didn't believe it till I actually saw my name in print many years later.
You're just great Tania, thank you!
Love the idea of permission, that we're allowed to write as we will. I'm not sure anyone ever gave me permission; not sure if I have it, even. Then again, part of me likes doing it without permission...
I couldn’t write at first. Something about the mess on the page that I could never get past and my mother’s voice in my head telling me over and over to keep it neat. Nothing about clever or creative. Then I started writing using the computer and my brain gave me permission to use my imagination and to spin stories out of nothing and everything.
Kathleen - do you have a permission story to share to be in with a chance of winning a copy?!
Annie, that is a great one, good for Mr Target!
And Nora, another wonderful teacher...!
Tracey, I guess you give yourself permission to transgress, love it!
Anon - would you like to give us your name, then I'll put you in the hat as well!
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