Stories & Tips: Writers Sauce - WWC

Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 22-May-2022

Welcome to Writers Sauce. We have two new topics for you to check out and it’s all about writing and audio book creation. See CONTENTS below.

Here’s what Christopher Kong said about World Writers Collective:

“Hi Mat - I came across your World Writers Collective site, including your post covering ‘editing tips’.

I’m writing this note to say a big THANKS. I think your site is a wonderful resource, and I really resonated with your comment on the benefit of giving/receiving feedback via writers groups. Despite your evident experience, I appreciate how your sharing comes across as very humble and accessible.

I’ve been working on a piece of creative non-fiction. Look forward to connecting and exchanging more ideas (and writing?) with each other!”

Murray, Cat, Lucie and Colin are our newest subscribers. We now have 359 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)

If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, forward this email to anyone anywhere in the world.

Become a paying member and you’ll get your own author profile page on WWC as well as the ability to promote yourself and your books via our main page. It’s only $20 a year, which helps to cover the costs of the website. Everyone who works on this website does so for free.

We would also like to stress that if you can not afford the $20, we would like you as a member anyway. You can pay WWC when you have the money available.

www.worldwriterscollective.com/wwc

If you want to add to this email with your own words of wisdom, let us know. Get in touch with us to let us know anything you think writers would like to learn about. We can also/otherwise add info to our NEWS section on the WWC website.

It’s all done for free and it’s off our own backs’. Please get involved if you have the time.

Thank you,

Mat Clarke

www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-carke

Contents:

(Look for the *NEW* stamp below for content you haven’t read yet)

1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)

2. Writing competitions - suspended until a new manager volunteers

3. Promote your blog

4. Audio Book Info and workshop *NEW*

5. The Story Mint

6. YOU, TOO, CAN BE VITAL! - Self-help for the terminally exhausted. *NEW*

7. Writer volunteer Jobs

8. Melbourne Writers Social Group events

9. All Write! upcoming events

10. We want to hear from you

11. Join us and we’ll promote you

12. Essential Information for Writers

13. Important links

1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website

Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.

For 2022 please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).

Here’s a review by Magz Morgan of Cecile Ravell’s story: https://ravellc.wixsite.com/ravell-the-writer

‘Coming, Frankwen’. The voice of the three-year-old child calling to her brother and hero, opens Child Magical. Cecile Ravell’s story is a memoir of a childhood in transit, from Brooklyn, New York, to Malta then Melbourne, Australia.

In a series of poignant and funny cameos, seen through the eyes of a little girl, Ravell brings to life an intimate immigrant tale. The vignettes follow this feisty little girl from moments of triumph, to moments of indignation, as she becomes aware of her position as an outsider in a society that values fair-haired children, and as a girl who plays second fiddle to a family culture that reveres boys.

Child Magical provides valuable insights into the reality of what it feels and looks like, for a girl, growing up; in particular, an immigrant girl.

Read it slowly, savour it in your favourite armchair, or read it quickly on public transport. Either way, Ravell’s story is a good read, piquant and thought-provoking.’

Magz Morgan, author, ‘Motherlands’.

www.magzmorgan.com

2. Competitions

Current and upcoming competitions have been suspended for now until we find a manager.

WANTED: competition manager

Short story competitions - World Writers Collective

A. The big one - WWC Golden Pen Award - Win $250 First Prize

Second prize is $100 to spend in a Red Bubble store and one-year membership of Creative Writers Collective. The third prize will be a FREE entry to any one of the competitions for a year and one-year membership of Creative Writers Collective.

All winners will be published in the anthology.

We may need to halt competitions after this latest big prize due to not having a competitions manager. If you would like to become the manager, please let Mat Clarke know.

Coming up (TBA):
The Quick Creative - limited words and limited time. Join us and win cash!

Need help with writing short stories? Go to our competitions tab page 1. We have added hints and tips to help you write the best short story ever. There is a video by Ray Stone, which is a great resource. Our writing competition winners have given their tips and Mat Clarke has added his thoughts. You can also check out our editing tips page.

www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions

www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-tips

www.worldwriterscollective.com

Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.

Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.

www.worldwriterscollective.com/join

If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the next anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved!

We also want to promote you and your writing. All you have to do is say the word. When you are a member, it’s free!

3. Promote your blog

We want to promote your blog. Email us a link of one of your blogs and an explanation of why WWC people would enjoy reading it.

We want to promote your blog. Email us a link of one of your blogs and an explanation of why WWC people would enjoy reading it.

Here’s a few from Magz Morgan and the positive comment she received:

www.magzmorgan.com/blog

THANK you both, and the writers’ collective for all the moral support. When I get a message like this, I feel like crying. Maggie

“I just read both of these pieces and found them to be exceptional. You really have developed your talent. When I read the article on writing, I felt that I had a tutor sitting next to me sharing her secrets, while the short story was a delicious gossipy tale that I friend might share. I think that the first article gave me an insight into how hard you have worked to hone your skills. I am impressed with the quality of your writing. Don't stop.”

Linda Douglas

Here’s another by Cecile Ravell

www.artsish.org/artists/cecile

4. Audio Book info and workshop

By Mat Clarke for Les Green

Audiobook Production

Helpful dot points to help you transition from pages to narration and bring your story to life:

Why record an audio book?

- The manuscript is complete. After months or years of hard work the story is finished. An illustrator is prepping the artwork and you are looking to publish.

- Traditional print is still popular but you are leaning more towards digital. Why not, tons of people have a Kindle and everybody has a smart phone. However, most people don’t find the time to sit and read these days.

- People do spend hours in their cars and do look for distractions whilst exercising, cooking etc. So why is it important for you to start thinking about creating an audiobook for your story?

Audiobooks are now popular!

- The audiobook industry is evaluated at $3.5 billion dollars (US) worldwide and along with Podcasts continues to grow.

- Longform audio is big business while in comparison printed books and e-book sectors continue to decline.

- Basically, people are buying and consuming audio books rather than reading.

- The stories are still needed, people clearly just want quicker access to them.

- Given that independent and unknown authors have always had to struggle to make sales and to build a fanbase, having your stories in popular format makes perfect sense. Audiobooks make good financial sense, providing you understand how they work.

- Give an additional product to sell and market to sell in.

Make it easy for readers to sample your novel:

- Every writer knows just how difficult it is to get people to read your book. Even friends and family, despite making promises to read it, will struggle to find the time.

- When people are offered the opportunity to either read the opening chapters or to listen to the audiobook, most people with a preference of the audiobook will manage to find time to listen and give feedback. Engaging with the audiobook and wanting to hear more and even eager to find out what happens next.

- What’s obvious is that audiobook samples are one of the most effective ways of getting people past the initial hurdle.

Market Research:

- Traditionally the approach to recording an audiobook happens when the writing is complete with more and more emphasis being placed on social media and promotion. More people are turning to creating samples prior to completion. This allows you to effectively build potential reading groups eagerly awaiting the final manuscript. Getting people hooked on characters, especially ones who continue into a series.

- This provides a huge head start in the process of marketing and selling your book.

So, although it may seem like it is another daunting project to tackle. Creating an audiobook will expand your readership, make your story more accessible and give you great feedback even if you haven’t released yet.

Over the next few months we’ll be breaking down how to go about giving your story the best possible voice. This will be done in person in the city of Melbourne. Notes will be added to Writers Sauce following each workshop.

*Melbourne Audio Book Production is currently offering a taster session for all WWC members which will include - 30 mins recording, 1 hour editing, 1 x finished audio clip and 1 x instagram sample. Contact us now to have a chat to see what we can do for you.

Contact: https://www.melbourneaudiobookproduction.com/contact.html

Join us! Everyone is welcome even if you’re not close to recording just yet. Next event will be announced here: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers

Les: Audio engineer, writer and musician - education and working experience - first vocal / dialogue for music and now just vocals.

Engineer for 15 years - commercial music - Artists / Producers in UK and Europe

Creative writer for 4 years .

Studying at SAE institute London

Logic Pro and Pro tools.

Began my creative writing journey 2016 whilst travelling - finding the time to complete in 2020 during pandemic / recording myself.

Started with Brisbane audiobooks - 2021

5. The Story Mint

Join Part 2 of our "From STEM to STEAM" series to explore how we can successfully put the Arts into STEM and involve those skills we learn through the Arts (particularly writing!) to achieve great results. webinar: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/create-lesson-plans-with-the-arts-writing-in-mind-tickets-194124861687

Join Our Lockdown Writing Competition for Students!

Why are we doing this?

We know lockdown can get a bit much with the same routine day in, day out, staying indoors, unable to meet with friends. Students are feeling it, parents are feeling it, teachers are feeling it.

We wondered how best to add some fun into the day-to-day reality of lockdown while still keeping everyone safe. So…let’s write!

Link to more information: www.worldwriterscollective.com/the-story-mint

How do I enter?

The competition is free to enter for all school (including home-schooled) students Y4-13 in Australia and New Zealand, and gives you full access to the Stylefit software so you get instant visual feedback as you write!

All you need to do is flick an e-mail to anna@stylefit.org saying you’d like to participate. Let us know if you’re a teacher wishing to enter your students or if you’re a student entering individually*. We’ll get your free writing account set up so that you can have direct access to the software and its feedback throughout the whole competition.

What do I write about?

We’ve got a few visual prompts set up in each category (Year 4-6, Year 7-8, Year 9-10 and Year 11-13). You can find these here[link to updates site page]. Inspire your imagination with the image OR pick a topic of your own choosing. As long as you stick to the word count, we’ll eagerly read your work!

What are you waiting for?
Send an e-mail to anna@stylefit.org and get writing! There are prizes to be won!

6. YOU, TOO, CAN BE VITAL! - Self-help for the terminally exhausted.

by Therese Quinlan

Foreword/Intro:

You know those decades when everything goes wrong? Flood, fire, and pestilence? Maybe a war or two, a couple of divorces, some monster children, the neighbors from Hell? One fateful morning, you look in the mirror and are shocked to see a peculiar, haggard stranger? This little tome/list is for you!

1. CRUEL MIRRORS

You naively thought there was only one kind of mirror, except perhaps those wobbly ones at fun parks… Well, I’ll let you in on a secret: many mirrors, the perfectly ordinary ones in bathrooms and bedrooms, are in fact, cruel mirrors, and must be avoided at all costs! (Except perhaps after an extra-large, extra-strong latte, when you’ve already brushed your hair and done your makeup. This applies to all genders.)

2. COVFEFEE

Coffee and tea are IMPORTANT. Ignore all those people telling you that caffeine is unhealthy – it’s absolutely essential to survival! (Obviously, ignore ME if you have an actual medical condition or if caffeine makes you turn green. This is intended to make you laugh, not turn you green.) Caffeine actually does help clear your muddled brain in the morning, stimulate your vital organs, and most important of all, it’s enjoyable! This last is the key: enjoyment. In order to be vital, you must allow yourself enjoyment. And while you're at it, don’t rush. Sit down, close your eyes, and savour that first sip – the nectar of the gods!

3. DOGS

Like caffeine, dogs are also essential to vitality, sanity and good health. I know the dog-lovers will be nodding enthusiastically, and the other people will be fuming mad. How dare she (yes, I'm a she) tell me that dogs are essential! They’re disgusting, filthy beasts that slobber all over you and tear up the garden. In some cases they’re vicious and scary. This is all true, yes, it is. However, I repeat that dogs are essential, and these are some of the reasons why:

-vThey don’t care AT ALL how you look. No, not one bit.

-vThey grin at you for no reason.

-vThey force you to go for walks.

-vThey love extravagantly and innocently.

-vThey insist on play.

Note that I didn’t write “Pets are essential.” This doesn’t mean that I'm prejudiced against your parakeet or your Norwegian Forest cat, in fact I find them all adorable and fascinating. (Tarantulas are a bit of a stretch though.)

I chose dogs for two very good reasons, or maybe three: most other pets can't take you for a walk, and the fact is that you don’t have to own a dog to enjoy its company. Yes, you read that right: you don’t have to own a dog! I discovered this years ago when taking my little son to the park. At the time I didn’t really like dogs and was a bit scared of them. My son wasn’t! He adored other people’s dogs on sight, and raced fearlessly towards them.

No, he didn’t get mauled, thank heaven. Instead I learned to see dogs through his eyes, and I learned to love their passion for life, their emotional openness, their zest for play. We ended up visiting dog parks at the appropriate hour to enjoy other people’s dogs!

7. Writer volunteer jobs

We would love you to join our network of writers as a creative leader and help you further everyone's knowledge of writing. No doubt, you'll learn more about yourself and your writing as well. Have a read below and see what fits your personal skills and lifestyle. Commit to what you can and we'll see you in the trenches. Most of all, have fun!

Opportunities:

Manager of writing competitions

Website manager

Information officer

Assistant to managers and officers

Writing Competition Judges

Event host - multiple required (Melbourne only)

Further details: www.worldwriterscollective.com/job-vacancies

These are all volunteer positions.

Your position includes free membership, a discount for any events you attend, free access to catering (if supplied) and an allowance for the manager positions (see position details).

Commit for 12 months or longer.

8. Melbourne Writers Social events

Recently we discussed how to win writing competitions and what judges look for. If you would like to learn more, check out our website: www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions

The previous month we talked about our favourite books to read and linking to each other via Goodreads. We would like to start linking to each other so we can recommend books to each other and promote the few authors in our group. Post up your Goodreads link via comments below, if you are reading this on our blog, or post it via our Facebook groups:

www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529

www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168

Mat Clarke - link to me and find others: www.goodreads.com/author/show/6898385.Mat_Clarke

Our main flagship event runs at the Wharf Hotel on the third Tuesday of the month. Please join us - all are welcome, even if you are only thinking of starting out in a creative field.

Click here to RSVP, check time and place of events: www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers

We meet online every Monday from 6.30pm and show each other our work and chat about everything creative.

South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food as well as drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe-bar, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.

Melbourne Central: One Sunday a month. We are nestled in the back corner of the upstairs food court near the windows, past the colourful piano, behind the big clock. We meet to write mostly, but you are free to chat with others who would like to do so.

In South Bank each month for the next six or so months we are running a workshop on audio book creation. Please join us for an enjoyable information session. See Meetup for details.

Not currently running: Eastern suburbs meet. Laura, Stephanie and Mat are exploring a cafe in Croydon to meet at, which will be run on certain Sundays. We will get back to you soon on how it will be run and what the format will be. Likely it will involve the return of our writing games event with prompts to get you writing and enjoy yourself.

Not currently running: Writers of the South, let’s write: This is for southern Melbourne, down as far as the Clayton and Mentone area. Anyone can attend and join in and write your heart out (and have ice cream).

Not currently running: Writers Workshop: If you want to work through a piece, then come along to the Eltham Library and let us help you create your best work.

Not currently running: Treehouse Writing: Join us in Olinda for a sanctuary in the hills where we write and relax.

As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.

There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested in as well. Go to them all and see what you like . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)

www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers

Stories & Tips

Saturday, 21 May 2022

Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 22-May-2022