Stories & Tips: answers on writing

Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS March 2025

Welcome to Writers Sauce. We have two new topics for you to check out and it’s all about writing.

Contents:

1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)

2. Writing competitions - suspended until a new manager volunteers

3. Promote your blog

4. Mat Clarke’s talk on preparing to traditionally publish: Synopsis *NEW*

5. The Story Mint: Stylefit

6. Where to Go and Write During Happy Hour

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

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!”

And Sergio about Melbourne Writers Social Group:

Hi Mat, I feel like I should grab you at least a couple of beers and a nice pub meal. It’s the least I can do to say thanks. I have no clue about being a writer and your help has been invaluable.

Kind regards

Sergio

Zach, Dean, Monika, Rosemary, Prenna, Caroline, Louise, Jaya, Matthew, Ruth, Sarah-Jo, Shay, Beth, Slava, Josh, Jesse, Ganhi, Siphia, Annie, Joel, Jasine, Anito, Daniel, Barkha, Tamsin. Rob, Sarosh, Fuko, Mike, Danny, Lachlan, Georgie, Lavender, Sylvie, Helen, Karen, Mario, James, and Gomelo are our newest subscribers. We now have over 400 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.

World Writers Collective collaborates together with writers, editors and many other kinds of artists / creatives in all industries. We have actors, directors, illustrators, musicians and screenwriters in one place all eager for you to enjoy their work.

Join us as a subscriber or as a writer if you would like your own promotional page on our website. To have a page on our website it there is a donation cost per year. Included are some minor discounts and the ability to advertise yourself for free to our subscribers.

Everyone who works on this website does so for free.

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

www.worldwriterscollective.com/wwc

If you want to add to this email with your own words of wisdom, please let us know. 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 back. Please get involved if you have the time.

Thank you,

Mat Clarke

www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-carke

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 2024 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 James Pletch’s review of Remarkable Recoveries.

Remarkable Recoveries: What extraordinary healings tell us about getting well and staying well

Carlyle Hirshberg and Marc Ian Barasch. Headline London 1996

By James Pletch, Wharf Hotel Writers night 19 March 2023

Carlyle Hirshberg is a biochemist. With this book, she pioneers the study of thousands of spontaneous remissions – remarkable recoveries – from ‘terminal’ cancer. She worked at the Stanford Research Institute creating a unique database of thousands of recoveries from terminal illness, and used this database to study the five percent of people who recover. She also spoke to other experts with a lot of experience of remarkable recoveries.

Traditionally the medical profession has dismissed this group as statistical outliers. Hirshberg decided their example of unusual success in recovering from fatal illness holds lessons for us all. Her findings are fascinating. We can all draw from them in our own way. Her study included looking deeply into fifty remarkable recovery cases.

Our innate ability to heal lies beneath all curatives, both conventional and unconventional. Everyone is an individual, and their key to healing is unique to them.

She found faith is the critical ingredient in cases of remarkable recovery – whether faith in a process, a person, a pill (placebo or otherwise), a doctor, saints, or God.

Many used prayer, and it seems to have stimulated their healing system, something usually ignored by medical journals. People experienced a personal relationship with God, and were tolerant and not dogmatic.

Many had an experience of the divine, something difficult to describe or quantify; something the researchers were both impressed by, and unable to explain in conventional terms.

People were congruent: they were deeply aligned within themselves, rather than being fractured and uncertain within themselves. They were ‘singing their own song.’

People had a strong fighting spirit.

60 to 70 percent attributed their survival to what might be called ‘receptive’ factors like faith, meditation and prayer.

People had a belief in their uniqueness, and not simply being a ‘disease category’. They had a strong ability to focus on the good rather than the bad, and had a rich inner life.

The researchers noted the attributes of a disease prone personality, being the opposite of an approach needed for a remarkable recovery: repression of feeling, lack of expressiveness, depressed acceptance, and a sense of hopelessness and helplessness. Clearly, people need to reverse these attributes, if they have them.

They had a strong social connection, like an enduring marriage or a strong friendship connection or network. Very importantly, they had one person with whom they had an honest nurturing confiding communication relationship. This could be anyone: for example a spouse, partner, parent, therapist, friend, or support group member.

People had a good relationship with their doctor, but made their own decisions.

75 percent of the 50 remarkable recovery people who were deeply studied had artistic activities in their life. Nearly half played a musical instrument or sang. Researchers wonder if music and art bypass the rational part of the brain and connect in some unknown way with our deeper mind-body healing capacity. In ancient Greece, Apollo was both the god of music and of medicine.

The research points to an integral approach to healing: spirit, genetics, psychoneuroimmunology, and mind-body factors. These compose an orchestral approach, not just a single instrument.

Remarkable recovery people have hope and optimism, a strong will to live, and they confront their problems directly, rather than avoiding them. They have good emotional support from family and/or a friend or friends. 80 percent had the ability to enrol positive mood states and social support situations to empower their healing.

The top activities remarkable recovery people believed contributed to their recovery were: prayer 68%; meditation 64%, exercise 64%; guided imagery 59%; walking 52%; music/singing 50%; and stress reduction 50%.

The most common psycho-spiritual factors remarkable recovery people checked off on a list of 26 items were: belief in a positive outcome 75%, fighting spirit 71%, acceptance of the disease 71%, seeing the disease as a challenge 71%, taking responsibility for the disease and outcome 68%, renewed desire to live 64%, positive emotions 64%, faith 61%, new sense of purpose 61%, changes in habits/behaviour 61%, sense of control 59%, lifestyle changes 59%, self-nurturance 57%, and social support 50%.

Here’s a review of ‘Dilemmas of a Middle-Aged Madonna’ by Meredith Fuller

DILEMMAS of a MIDDLE-AGED MADONNA

By Cecile Ravell (2022) Warrior Woman Press

Book review Meredith Fuller OAM

Cecile Ravell, a creative memoir author and poet, writes non-fiction and fiction and has a talent for infusing travel writing within her books. Passionate about travel, she brings countries and venues alive. She also scatters some Italian throughout the story. Novellas include ‘Love on a Faultline’ and ‘Child Magical’. Her characters are an amalgam of people throughout her life.

Outline

‘Spurned by the love of her life, Jessica contemplates walking into the ocean and drowning. A chance meeting leads to a sequence of events which turn her life around. This story lurches from pathos to comedy to romance, as our female protagonist navigates the challenges that life hurls at her’

The book takes us from Far North Queensland to Nova Scotia, Canada, and New York City.

Having also visited the Frick Museum, I found her information and history about Henry Clay Frick fascinating, similarly for the Met and Times Square.

This isn’t a genre I would normally read (fiction & romance) as I tend to read non fiction and biographies. Jessica is disengaging from a ‘bad boy’ partner and meets several new men who treat her well. Will she jump out of a disappointing 20-year relationship into something that may promise fulfillment? I found this a raunchy read – maybe too raunchy for me!

Some of her metaphors were appealing in their visceral imagery. For example, she talks about how her new lover’s fervour lifted the cold shroud of her former partner’s enveloping.

Purchase an autographed copy: ravellc@yahoo.com.au

Here’s a review of ‘The Man Behind the Mask’ by Rachel Martigan – A Regency Romance.

I struggled today and yesterday, having to work, when I just wanted to keep reading.

There was unexpected events, times where I was nervous about what the outcome might be, and happy bits.

Such a great read, you’ve done such a great job with both books.

So, when is the next book out?

I’m such a romance junkie, I can’t get enough.

Well done

The book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Man-Behind-Mask-Rachel-Martigan/dp/B09RJYT9N4/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Here’s a review by John Christmas and Susan Thorn of Ray C Doyle’s mystery novel, Lara’s Secret:
JC: I greatly enjoyed this tale which incorporated modern history of Cyprus into a thriller complete with action and romance. Pete West is a new investigative-journalism hero not afraid to tangle with the corrupts to uncover the truth!
ST: Fantastic story, halfway through this novel, it had me from the first chapter, mystery and intrigue, it's gripping, I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy.
raycdoyle.com
www.fishpond.com/Books/Laras-Secret-Ray-C-Doyle/9781915212047

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

https://ravellc.wixsite.com/ravell-the-writer/blog

4. Mat Clarke’s talk on preparing to traditionally publish: Synopsis

www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-clarke

Traditional Publishing Synopsis and Cover Letter

As you may know, you can go to any literary agent's website, select an agent, and submit your manuscript. However, if you don't follow their rules they may delete your beloved manuscript or proposal before giving it a read. Traditional publishing is a long hard road. In fact, self-publishing is a long hard road. The only difference is that traditional publishing requires more patience as you wait for 'others' to assess your work. It could be five to ten years before an agent decides they would like to invest time in you. My advice contained below will not be an absolute guarantee of being published, but it should help your chances.

So, you think you're a writer. I was asked that question, or one similar to it, one night in a New York City bar. The old grizzly writer addressing me had gone past the point of being drunk and amicable and had entered into the world of slobbering surliness. A slap in the face may have hurt less the way he had implied I knew nothing about anything. True, I likely was deficient in my knowledge of writing, but at the time I was looking for positive tips, not a lesson in how to put someone down and make them feel as if they are less than human. He questioned me on topics I knew little about and then literally turned his back toward me to show I was not worth his time. If your goal is publishing, ensure you thicken that skin of yours and get ready for a rollercoaster of inverted emotions and lack of income. It definitely is worth your time, but the track has so many busted rails and evil gremlins ready to knock you off your path that you may want to give it all up before you’ve typed your first word. However, I hope you stay true to your goals and enjoy the ride as it was meant to be enjoyed. Like me, you will have to work a regular job while writing will be your hobby. If, somehow, you make it and millions of dollars begin to come your way, let me know your journey so I can feel like I was one of the people who helped you along your path.

So, with much hesitation and endless questioning of our abilities as writers, here we go!

We are mostly going to cover fiction writing but much of what is mentioned can be used for nonfiction as well. Keep everything I mention in mind but also conduct some research of your own on how you can publish to the masses. Every little bit of information will help you along your journey.

Synopsis

First, I will go over how a synopsis is formatted, then why an agent/publisher is requesting one from you.

Generally, you will write a synopsis that is approximately one page or 500 words long. This is not a concrete rule, but it is the general norm for what is requested by an agent. It will feel impossible to compress a whole novel into one page, yet when you start you'll be amazed at how you can say so much with so few words. I have had instances where an agent has asked for a three page synopsis, and although that may seem much simpler initially because we writers often have a lot to say/write about our book, it will instead mean you will introduce more of your characters and then run out of space to properly describe who they are and why they are relevant.

If you have already found an agent you would like to work with, check their specifications on their website under the submissions heading, or the agent's profile page. Sometimes within an agency there can be different ways to submit, so be aware. You can also search for interviews with an agent you like to get better tips on what they are looking for.

So how do you get your synopsis going? Where do you begin?

It'll be a lot like when you were editing your novel; a lot of trial and error, a lot of second-guessing yourself, and a lot of feedback from people you trust who are happy to give you honest feedback.

To begin, the best approach is to note down everything that was important within your book. When you start writing your notes, try and keep it in the voice and style of your book while including some of the emotions as well - although not too much. It's always a fine line between telling your story while also showing the true feeling behind it.

If you keep the heart and emotion of your book to about 40% then that should just about do it. You may even be able to raise that to 60% after a few drafts, which is even better. However, do not be discouraged if you can not. You'll find that it is such a crazy balancing act of getting across your voice, the feel, the theme, the plot, the characters, etc., that you may feel like you are failing right up to the final product being ready for submission.

Ok, so you have written 20 pages of all the good bits in your story. You did not mean to write this much but your story is so full of great stuff that it was impossible to do anything else. However, you can't submit twenty pages so it is time to use those editing skills you have been honing and trim it way down. Not sure how? No problem. Write your elevator pitch or your blurb, which are obviously very short, to give you a better idea on what your story is essentially about. If you are unsure on how to write an elevator pitch or blurb, fear not, we'll cover that soon as well.

Next, write down the main plot and subplots of your story in dot-point form and in chronological order.

Ensure you have your protagonist and your antagonist listed.

Other important characters, if required, can be included or deleted as you see fit. However, if you use more than one name in a synopsis it can become confusing. I am not saying do not do this, I am instead saying be careful and make sure the literary agent understands what is going on.

Some important things to include where you can:

Where the story is set.

When the story is set. However, there should be no need to mention an address or blatantly say: this story is set in Chicago. Instead, you would imply it with your skillful writing techniques. An example would be:

"Steve set his pistol on the park bench, horrified how the dark streets of Chicago were now ruled by deadly gangs."

You have shown so many things in that one sentence. That it is night, that it is in Chicago, that the character is in a park, that there are deadly gangs around, and that he needs a gun to defend himself. Maybe even also that he is carelessly putting his gun down when he is clearly in danger. Regardless, you'll need to achieve this so you can fit a lot into one page. Also, reading these kinds of sentences can be very tiring to the reader because there is so much information, so you'll have to decide on how heavy you go with inserting them within your synopsis.

Moving right along; you'll need to include the general plot and possibly an important subplot, the start middle and end, story arc, and yes, the actual ending with all its twists, turns and 'uhuh!' moments.

Now that you have many pages containing the best parts of your book plus your dot points, you can better chop down your many pages. At this point, I usually find myself at a three page synopsis and uncertain how I can get it down to one page. You can either keep removing bits as you have been doing up to this point, or you can start consolidating and packing all your information into well-written sentences. As with regular editing, you will try to get your scene across to the reader in the fewest of uncomplicated words as possible. This will mean showing what's happening while conveying the feeling of the story.

Ensure the reader knows who the protagonist is and that (for example) he or she wants to stop the antagonist from controlling or killing a family. Maybe the protagonist's father is about to explain what his son needs to do to stop the elite families from having too much power over others, which they have gained by the way of blackmail. Maybe you will have included the final gun battle, then wrapped up the story with an ending that would satisfy any literary agent.

Keep in mind that the final product will never be perfect. Did that surprise you? The reason why agents are not expecting perfection from a synopsis is because the synopsis exists only so the agent can determine if you have interesting characters, a start, a middle, and an end, a good plot, and know how to write a good ending. It's also very lucky that agents and publishers do not expect your synopsis to be exceptional, because it is just so darn hard to write! Instead, make sure your manuscript is absolutely amazing because that should be your main concern.

You may not really understand what I have mentioned or the importance of it if you are not at this point in your writing yet, but I can tell you it killed me to write my synopsis in such little detail. The entire plot of my book was brought down to two sentences as if they were ridiculously unimportant. As if the plot was so mundane or boring that two sentences was all it deserved. Ahg! Terrible. Anyway, you'll need to do the same. Let me know how you go and whether it was an easy or hard process for you.

By the way, I have used my most recent synopsis as an example in the above, i.e. killing of the family etc. I'll include the full synopsis at the end of this article and you can decide if what I have written is great or terrible. In my mind, it is both.

Elevator Pitch

For both an elevator pitch and blurb you would generally start with a 'what if'. In other words, you might start off with the sentence: When Jeremy finds he has grown an extra leg overnight and his sister has lost one, he must find a way to work out how his magic went so wrong before his sister's final ballet performance.

The whole idea of an elevator pitch is that if you ever had the chance to pitch something to someone who might be interested in getting your novel published you'll be able to give the recipient an idea about your book in the time it takes to ride the elevator to their floor. I suppose, it depends on the building you are in, because if you are going up the elevator to the viewing area of the Rialto or the Empire State Building then you'll have more time than you would know what to do with. If, however, you are in a building with only a few floors then it may be that you only have twenty seconds to make your pitch. My workplace has only a few floors yet it has one of the slowest elevators ever created, so really, who knows how long you will have. There's also the possibility of the elevator 'accidentally' breaking down with a publisher or agent inside, I would then of course read the entire manuscript to them.

Anyway, that means you need to get out the entire novel's plot, genre or idea, your main character and everything else out within one to two sentences.

How is this done?

With great difficulty and impossibility. Have you had any great success in this area? Let me know in the comments area of our blog. Or email me and I'll add it for you.

I often change my elevator pitch depending on the audience. This means I usually have a few lined up so I can hit the mark with the right personality. It also sometimes has to do with my mood at the time. Weird, hey! However, if you are saying it out loud then it makes sense. The way you say it and what you say are closely tied.

If you are unsure on what your book is about you could get someone else to read your book and give you a better idea. Problem is that any opinion of your book is going to be subjective, so you should always be the final decision-maker in this space even if you are unsure.

Most people start with a what-if, as mentioned earlier. But you can swing it any way you like as long as it gets the intended recipients attention and interest.

Blurb

I would like to point out that writing a blurb is the easiest of all three. I would also like that statement to be completely true. Unfortunately, a blurb is just as hard as all the rest.

Most of the time a blurb is on the back of the book. Sometimes, especially in older books, you would read it on the inside of the front cover. It might be one paragraph or it might be three.

As it is with the elevator pitch, you will want to introduce the plot, the general theme, the feel or voice of the story, and the characters. You will not include the ending this time. Instead, you should write something that includes a cliffhanger. This should represent the main twist or obstacle within your book. You want people to have the necessity to discover more and read more. To wonder how the main character is going to get through their problems. The more obstacles there are and the more interesting you write the characters, the more a reader will enjoy being put in someone else's shoes.

Cover Letter

There is a set format for cover letters that should be followed as closely as possible. You should read as many examples as you can to get an idea on what agents are looking for.

At the very beginning of your cover letter you should introduce your book. Mention your genre, word count, and title. Then write your elevator pitch. All this should be about two lines within your cover letter. You could maybe write three lines if you have to, but it is best not to ramble. You want the person reading your cover letter to be interested, not yawn. The agent (or a person working for free - an intern) reading your cover letter may only have a few minutes to breeze over your letter before they decide if they should read your manuscript or move on to the next one.

The next part of your cover letter will be similar to a blurb. This is the reason I asked you to write a blurb even though at the time you were probably thinking that a blurb is not necessary until the book is actually going to be published. Anyway, you want to write about your book in a way that carries interest, as mentioned previously. You want it to show what it is about and why it would make a reader never want to put the book down. This section should be no more than a paragraph. Within this paragraph, or in the next paragraph, mention two books that were written recently by other authors (within the last few years if you can) and how they are similar to what you have written. Ensure they are books that have done well or really well in sales. Essentially, the agent wants to envisage where your book would fit on a shelf next to other similar books/authors. In other words, what book your book would sit next to so that readers are looking in the right area. It's best not to go with a book that made millions and millions or otherwise the agent may either call bullshit or expect your manuscript to be so great that if it is even slightly below amazing they may not be interested.

The next paragraph is where you will explain your writing and/or professional background and how it relates to your writing. You should mention if you won any writing competitions. You should mention if you have been published before. And add anything else that will make you appear as if you know what you are doing when you write.

Lastly, you can tell the agent what is attached and that you look forward to hearing from them (chapters of the novel, synopsis).

As with everything I mentioned, the best thing you can do is to be as professional as possible. The agent will look upon your writing in a business-orientated way and they need you to do so as well.

The relationship will be a business partnership because money is involved. It's as simple as that. They already have authors on their books who consistently write. They do not need to add any other writers until a writer dies. You need to be a salesperson and sell them the idea of working with you and that you will be professional and that what you write is something that can sell. But, no, you can not tell them your writing is awesome and they should work with you. Instead, you have to show them an awesome manuscript, a professional cover letter, and competent synopsis.

If they decide to sign you up, then they will want to get to know you better. For now, keep your interactions professional and courteous. Very, very courteous. They'll respect you more as a writer and be more inclined to reply if you show them you are professional and you know how to convey a message.

One more thing, if you met the agent beforehand at a writing festival or similar, or read or watched an interview or a talk they were involved with, then mention it in your letter. This will show the agent you have done your homework on them. If you like the books they represent then you can mention that in the letter as well. Tell them how your book is similar to what they represent. This is not always possible. Still, agents like it when you specifically choose them to represent you because you have done your homework.

For all those who are keeping score, The Clarke family is now five. Baby Guinevere was born 24 Feb. I feel a little over my head, but we are still mostly sane.

Synopsis example:

Dear Erica Spellman-Silverman,

My newest thriller manuscript, Finding Benjamin, is 89,000 words. When Simone rescues Benjamin from the clutches of a wealthy murderous family, she is drawn into his adoptive parents’ obscure dictatorial society.

There is no better way to understand yourself in your twenties than to travel alone and save a young boy from being kidnapped by murderous crime lords. Simone informs the police in the hope of keeping Benjamin safe, but due to a bungle on the police department’s part, Benjamin is given over to the people who were involved in the initial kidnapping. Simone questions the authorities, only to discover that the more she digs, the more she can see that money is hiding Benjamin. It is now a matter of survival for Simone as the powerful people behind the mystery will kill anyone attempting to uncover their crimes.

A fun thriller involving guys and girls in their twenties with bonds of friendship similar to those in the Outer Banks TV series (part of my relaxation TV watching at the time of writing Finding Benjamin. Also a novel by Alyssa Sheinmel) with the impending doom from hidden assailants with unknown agendas, kidnapping and parental secrets. The Scarecrow series by Matthew Reilly also has similar elements due to the psychopathic wealthy characters who are interested in killing others for their own gain.

Currently working for Victoria Police as an officer (eight years this year), I was previously an office worker, an actor and worked in a warehouse driving forklifts and trucks. I have been running the Melbourne Writers Social of over 6,000 members for more than thirteen years in-person and online. I promote our members and myself via my Facebook, blog, Instagram, LinkedIn and Meetup social networks. My short stories have appeared within The Story Mint anthologies and Melbourne Writers anthologies. I love writing novels and short stories and continue to do so regardless of the publishing part (but I of course will try my hardest to entice you).

I have completed many revisions, writer group editing and paid editing. I hope you find my newest manuscript to be marketable and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours,

Mat Clarke.

5. The Story Mint: Stylefit

Student Writing Competition

Open for participation enquiries and entry submissions

We loved holding last year's lockdown writing competition, and collaborating with our incredible judges and prize sponsors to deliver students a fun opportunity amidst our national lockdowns. It was wonderful to see the enjoyment shared by both students and teachers throughout last year's competition!

We hope we can achieve that once more with out 2022 NZ student writing competition! It's now up and running, so we invite class groups or individual students to participate!

Our two biggest goals are:

- show students that writing (and learning writing skills) can be fun

- improve students' writing skills by increasing confidence, self-direction and agency

Those participating (as a school, class or you even just a few keen individual students) will have the opportunity to craft their entries with the help of our writing skills tool, Stylefit. We loved hearing about our participating schools' experiences with the software during the 2021 writing competition - here's a video snippet on student motivation!

If you'd like to participate, get in touch with anna@stylefit.org. We'll either extend your current Stylefit licence or open up a trial version for the duration of the competition. You can also find out more about how it works by booking a demo or having a look at the feedback features here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly7EN53ldRI

6. Where to Write During Happy Hour

by Mat Clarke

You've been writing at home, on the train, while waiting for friends or at one of our writing meetups. Now you need somewhere to go that will aid you in finding inspiration and allow you to buy food and drinks without breaking the bank. You'll need a nice venue now that Melbourne is getting back on the horse again, albeit slowly. It's time to get back out there!

One of my favourite places is The Wharf Hotel in Melborne CBD opposite Jeff's Shed. You'll enter the venue via the waterfront, as it has no street entrance. While sitting outside under the sun or resting comfortably inside, you can look out over the Yarra River and the many people entering Crown Casino or walking past Polly Woodisde to DFO. As you turn your mind to the bar you'll notice that happy starts at 4pm and ends at 7pm Monday to Friday. So grab yourself a schooner, spirit or wine for $7, sit back and relax.

What you can do:

A game will usually be on so you can cheer and enjoy the excitement.

One of the friendly staff will be happy to chat and talk about what you can see and do nearby.

No food discounts anymore, unfortunately. They used to be great with the Monday to Thursday cheap eats, but maybe that will return in Summer. Otherwise, download The Pass app and get $10 off your first purchase.

TGI Fridays is a good favourite in any part of Melbourne. Inside Melbourne Central you'll find that TGI Fridays is up two sets of escalators from Swanston Street. They run a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm. It includes $6 schooners, wines and spirits. They also do cheap cocktails which I love. If you stay on, they generally run a late night happy hour as well which is from 8pm to 10pm. Not bad if you want to chat your friend's ear off all night. Sit at the bar and talk to the bartenders if you like. They're happy to make you feel welcome when they're not run off their feet. You can also download their app and get some small discounted snacks.

Melbourne Central Lion starts happy hour at 4pm and ends at 7pm, but only Monday to Thursday. You'll be able to buy pints for $9 and pay $7 for wine and spirits. If you like the idea of food specials Sunday to Thursday, then check them out upon arrival. They usually do great cheap pizza too.

Just a little north of the CBD is the Queensberry Hotel. If they aren't busy they'll sometimes close early, so get in before they do. Happy Hour is a standard 25% off from 5pm to 7pm except Mondays when it is $6 beer and $6 spirits. They also do great meal options at budget prices, such as a parma on Wednesday for $20.

I've always enjoyed happy hour at Father's Office, especially considering they love to double dip. Your first happy hour is 5pm to 7pm and your second is from 8pm to 10pm. It just may force you to stay all night! Oh no, what a pity :) It runs every day with selected cocktails at $12, pints from $8 and $9 spirits. They also do some cheap meals during some of their weekdays. The part I like is the balcony that looks out over Swanston Street. A lovely view I have enjoyed many times over. Oh, and they also have a venue in Flinders Lane as well as their original spot on Little Lonsdale.

One of the things I found hard to find in the city was good pizza. Domino's on the thin crust will sometimes do, but if you need good American pizza or chicken wings, try Sal's Pizza on Flinders Lane. It's a tiny place, but the food is great (greasy and tasty). Otherwise, the Universal Hotel a little north of the CBD is your best option for traditional pizza.

The sponsored part:

If you want to spend these great moments with writers or other people who share your many interests, but you're yet to find friends in Melbourne, or all your friends are busy, then sign up to www.friendlyfamiliars.com and find someone who gets you. There's so much to do now, so it would be even better if you were not doing it alone.

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 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.

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

Friday, 7 March 2025

Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS March 2025

4. Mat Clarke’s talk on preparing to traditionally publish: Synopsis