Blog: Mel's Muse

Creative Writing Workshop: Characteristic Conflict

In the last Creative Writing Workshop, we looked at the way in which we can go about Creating Credible Characters. Now I’m going to show you how you can bring creativity to the way you construct conflict. This is crucial when it comes to writing fiction and memoir (not to...

Posted at 18:43pm on 3rd August 2019

Creative Writing Workshop: Creating Credible Characters

When we looked at the issue of Crafting Character in the last Creative Writing Workshop, I said that Characters – whether in fiction or true-life stories – need:

Credibility – to be true to life Creativity – in the way they respond to conflict Complexity – the depth which makes them three dimensional

So...

Posted at 12:22pm on 27th July 2019

Creative Writing Workshop: Crafting Character

Today we're going to look at Crafting Character, and its importance in terms of plot and theme. This was the topic of the previous post in this series - the way in which The Riverbed of Theme runs through the narrative of a story, be it fictional or memoir. It...

Posted at 12:18pm on 26th July 2019

Creative Writing Workshop: The Riverbed Of Theme

We began this Creative Writing Workshop by asking Are You On The Right Track? We then moved on to think about the necessity of Digging Deep for Plots. I trust you found the list of prompts helpful – i.e. considering a modern take on a Bible story or a nursery...

Posted at 14:28pm on 20th July 2019

What’s Wrong With Human Rights? By David Cross - Book Club Summary

Quotes from the book are in italics.

Never, before, have I made so many highlights in a book! As my Book Club members said when we met yesterday evening, this was certainly a narrative that opened up debate, on a subject not often discussed. With so much material to grapple with,...

Posted at 18:20pm on 13th July 2019

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Can Drama Be An Aid To Wellbeing?

Oh, yes! BAFTA winning actress, Jessica Hynes, who starred in the BBC Comedy Drama W1A, with Hugh Bonneville, is campaigning for drama to be given greater prominence in schools. This, she believes, can boost mental health and wellbeing in young people. I’m convinced that she is right. Here’s why.

MY EXPERIENCE...

Posted at 17:37pm on 30th May 2019

Bodacious The Shepherd Cat By Suzanna Crampton

‘What I love about Book Club, is that it makes me read books I might never, otherwise, have chosen.’

So said one member of our group when we met, yesterday, to discuss our take on Bodacious, The Shepherd Cat. How right she was! A book, supposedly written by a cat? Is...

Posted at 17:43pm on 16th May 2019

Creative Writing Workshop: Digging Deep For Plots

In the Introduction of this Creative Writing Workshop, I asked the question, Are You On the Right Track? There was nothing flippant about this. Before you begin to write your book, there are questions to be asked. And answered!

The content of this, and future tutorials, will be the result of...

Posted at 15:38pm on 30th March 2019

Creative Writing Workshop Introduction – Are You On The Right Track?

Right, let’s see. Are you on the right track? Is it that you want to write a book but don’t know where to start? Or that you’ve already written your book, but don’t know how to get it published?

From past experience, over many decades, I think I have some idea...

Posted at 14:42pm on 30th March 2019

The Making Of Us By Sheridan Voysey - Book Review

DISCOVER WHO YOU CAN BECOME

I love Sheridan’s lyrical style of writing – so inviting, so personal, so picturesque. Right from the first page, I found myself enthralled, as if I were meeting someone whom I knew, instantly, was going to become a friend. Likewise, when grappling with sorrow and loss,...

Posted at 14:43pm on 23rd March 2019

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