One of my numerous failings is, er, failing to keep everyone informed of what I’m thinking and planning. So here is a much-needed corrective…
As you can see, the new Writing Groups area is open. I think this is a huge improvement on what we had before, and I’m looking forward to getting your feedback.
You may know from watching recent Pop-Up Submissions that I’m becoming pretty obsessive about developing your own voice. I truly believe that this is the single most important factor in making your work stand out from the crowd. I see so many submissions, often from creative writing graduates, that simply have no voice whatsoever. I fear many of our universities and other bodies seem to be churning out writers who are merely simulacra of yesterday’s fashionable names. There is a real dearth of original voices.
And therein lies the opportunity. Let’s make 2018 the year of the voice… the year you develop your own personal, distinctive and unique style. It could be the single most significant writing skill you will ever develop.
Finding your authentic writing voice is a long game. You can’t read a book and – hey presto! – you’ve now got a voice. I’m similarly suspicious of writing courses, weekends, retreats and so on. A voice takes time and lots of practice to discover. Put the hours in, and you’ll start making progress. But don’t expect instant results.
That’s one way in which Litopia, specifically the new Writing Groups area, can help you. It’s custom-made for supportive experimentation. You control who sees your work, and when it’s deleted. Please – use it!
Lots more coming up. But just one more thing for now – the Village Hall meetups have served their purpose (mostly, to prove that we can do live events on video very satisfactorily) and will soon disappear. To be replaced by live seminars for Litopians. Kicking off with – you’ve guessed it – finding your voice.
More anon.
As you can see, the new Writing Groups area is open. I think this is a huge improvement on what we had before, and I’m looking forward to getting your feedback.
You may know from watching recent Pop-Up Submissions that I’m becoming pretty obsessive about developing your own voice. I truly believe that this is the single most important factor in making your work stand out from the crowd. I see so many submissions, often from creative writing graduates, that simply have no voice whatsoever. I fear many of our universities and other bodies seem to be churning out writers who are merely simulacra of yesterday’s fashionable names. There is a real dearth of original voices.
And therein lies the opportunity. Let’s make 2018 the year of the voice… the year you develop your own personal, distinctive and unique style. It could be the single most significant writing skill you will ever develop.
Finding your authentic writing voice is a long game. You can’t read a book and – hey presto! – you’ve now got a voice. I’m similarly suspicious of writing courses, weekends, retreats and so on. A voice takes time and lots of practice to discover. Put the hours in, and you’ll start making progress. But don’t expect instant results.
That’s one way in which Litopia, specifically the new Writing Groups area, can help you. It’s custom-made for supportive experimentation. You control who sees your work, and when it’s deleted. Please – use it!
Lots more coming up. But just one more thing for now – the Village Hall meetups have served their purpose (mostly, to prove that we can do live events on video very satisfactorily) and will soon disappear. To be replaced by live seminars for Litopians. Kicking off with – you’ve guessed it – finding your voice.
More anon.
