Better late than never...

[Julie Goddard]

Hello everyone

I can't quite believe it has taken me this long to take my dream of writing seriously! I won my first award for writing back in 1996 from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, when I wrote for the stage. Teaching swallowed up the last 25 years and when my father died of liver cancer 2 years ago I realised if I didn't take my writing seriously, no-one else would and that that would be a huge regret for me. So...

I took voluntary redundancy, invested in a macbook and wrote my first YA historical fiction book complete at 83,000 words. I worked with a reading panel and with the Writer Workshop, who provided Editorial feedback . I worked through three drafts and now, in two weeks time I'm off to the Festival of Writing in York (tad nervous - yet equally excited).

I'm looking forward to the next steps of this adventure, getting to know you all and embracing as much of Litopian opportunity as I can!

Best Wishes
Julie

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Hello and good luck in York There's plenty of YA passion here. I'm writing for the adult market but I'm also tutoring a 12 year old. There's big change afoot in the GCSE English syllabus and her father is desperate to encourage her to widen her reading beyond Harry Potter. Fantasy is what she loves and she'll be studying MacBeth next term.

I started her with Skellig, David Almond. Last time, I sent her away with The Midnight Folk by John Masefield, and Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce. Next time, it'll be The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, Garner.

It's such a rich vein in literature, and never mind the YA label; we've barely even got started: The Sword In The Stone, The Hobbit, Earthsea...

ADD I should have mentioned Pullman. I really ought. Why didn't I? Um, never managed to make myself read him.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

Welcome to the Colony, Julie.

 

[Marc Joan]

Welcome!

 

[Lex Black]

Welcome to the Colony!

 

[Patricia D]

Hello and welcome. Good luck with that YA book.

 

[Carol Rose]

Welcome, and best of luck!

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Welcome and good luck!

 

[Modquokka]

What a great story Enjoy York and best of luck!

 

[James Marinero]

Welcome. You have so much deep background to share!

 

[AgentPete]

Hi Julie, good to have you here!

 

[Howard]

Welcome aboard! And go you for being so organised and proactive! Its disgusting, it is!

 

[Island Writer]

Hi Julie and welcome aboard.

 

[Geoff]

Hi Julie and welcome to Litopia

 

[David Newrick]

Welcome Julie. I write crime fiction and social realism.

York looks interesting, but I am going to try and get to the Durham Literature Festival as it is much nearer to me and if the events aren't fully booked. Give my regards to York and enjoy it.

 

[Luciferette]

Hi Julie! I'm jealous you're off to York -- I really wanted to go but I couldn't get the time off work. There's a lovely piece about Joanna Cannon's experience there Festival Success and overcoming Big Scary Things: Jo Cannon’s story
Good luck and looking forward to your dispatch from the trenches!

 

[Sea-shore]

Hello Julie and welcome! Hope you enjoy the Festival of Writing in York!

I'm planning to go to the Winchester Writers' Festival in June next year. Hopefully, I will have 2 completed manuscripts (YA Sci-fi and Womens' thriller) in hand to pitch to the agents there. Does anyone else have any experience of writers' festivals?

 

[Ancora Imparo]

Hello and welcome, Julie. Glad you've joined the crowd. Best of luck at the York Festival.

 

[Andrew Okey]

Welcome Julie, from a fellow newbie. Hope York goes well for you.

 

[AliG]

Welcome, julie. Enjou Litopia

 

[Lawal]

Big welcome, you're awesome. I love stage play, a theatre all the way. Welcome Colony, awesome canopy.