8 Ways to Become a Better Writer by Josh Lacey

Hello. My name is Josh Lacey and I'm the author of the Grk books.

There are eight of them now, beginning with A Dog Called Grk and concluding with Grk and the Phoney Macaroni.

I might write more in the future, but I haven't decided yet.

To accompany the eight books in the Grk series, I'd like to give you eight tips to help your writing.

Here are my suggestions for

Eight ways to become a better writer. 

1.  Find out what kind of writer you are.

Everyone has their own habits, their own patterns, their own ways of doing things. Some writers hurl out the whole book at great speed, then come back and smack it into shape in draft after draft. Other writers spend a year writing the first chapter, then a few months knocking out the rest, more or less in its final shape. You have to discover what works for you.


2.  Find your routine.

Write every day. Or every weekday. Or every other day. Or every Sunday. Or whatever works for you. But you have to find a routine, a way of writing regularly, constantly.


3.  Write what you love.

This might sound obvious, but it's surprising how many writers think they have to write what agents want, or what editors want, or what readers want. All those people are important. Of course they are. But you can't think about them while you're writing. Write what you want to write and what you want to read. Write what you love. You can worry about readers later.


4.  Write a lot. And cut most of it. 


5.  Finish what you're writing.

Get to the end. Put it aside. Start the next one. Your first novel might be a masterpiece, but you'll discover that most writers have written at least one book that wasn't published before writing the first that was, and often many more.


6.  Read.

Read good books, bad books, profound books, silly books. Read cereal packets and blogs and screenplays and short stories. Discover what the best writers can do with words. And the worst. Learn what to do and what not to do. You can't be a good writer unless you're a good reader.


7.  Read more.


8.  Don't believe anyone.

Particularly anyone who says that they know the eight ways to become a better writer. Listen to them, yes. But don't believe them. They don't know the answers. And even if they do, the most important thing as a writer is discovering your own answers. Hundreds of books are published every month, and thousands more are turned down by publishers. Why should yours be any different? Because it's by you. Because it's your characters, your stories, your jokes, your words, your book. Turn your back on everyone else and write it.

Josh Lacey's Website 

GRK AND THE PHONEY MACARONI ~

a tall tales & short stories review

Dognapped! Grk is walking happily through the park, sniffing trees and chasing squirrels, when he’s suddenly snatched by two men in black suits. 

Where are they taking him? And how can Tim get him back?

Tim and Grk’s eighth adventure takes them to the home of pizza, pasta and the leaning tower of Pisa. There they meet the Duke of Macaroni, a man with a terrible secret which he will do anything to hide.

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First of all, I have to say this book made me miss my own little black and white dog, Ozric, so much. He used to go everywhere with me and I could imagine both of us on adventures together just like Grk and Tim. And like Tim I would have done all I could to make sure my little dog was safe and happy.

Grk and the Phoney Macaroni is a cracking adventure story for the younger reader with enough thrills and spills to satisfy the adventurer in all of us. With a grown-up side-swipe at the political classes it succeeded in delving into darker places while maintaining the humour and suspense.

I could imagine boys relishing the story and wanting to be Tim as he speeds through Rome and pits his wits against the mafia style bad guys! A fun, page-turning read for boys and girls.
TB

A Dog Called Grk
Tim meets Grk for the first time. They travel to Stanislavia and track down Grk's owners.

Grk and the Pelotti Gang
In Brazil, Tim and Grk chase a gang of bank robbers.

Grk and the Hot Dog Trail
In New York, Tim and Grk follow the trail of a missing statue, the Golden Dachshund.

Grk: Operation Tortoise
In the Seychelles, Tim and Grk save the giant tortoises.

Grk Smells a Rat
In India, Tim and Grk rescue local children from slavery.

Grk Takes Revenge
In France, Tim and Grk finally meet Colonel Zinfandel again.

Grk Down Under
In Australia, Tim and Grk tussle with the infamous Red Jelly Gang.

Grk and the Phoney Macaroni
In Italy, Tim and Grk meet the mysterious Duke of Macaroni.



Andersen Press have also published other books by Josh Lacey, including The Island of Thieves

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Interview with a Debut Author: Wendy Meddour

Hi Wendy and welcome back to tall tales & short stories.

Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi – and thanks for asking me back!
Hmmm. Myself. OK. I grew up in a wacky little seaside town called Aberystwyth – where I rode to school on a motorbike and loved wearing stripy tights. Oh, and I also loved books – big books, small books, silly books, sensible books, dusty books and shiny books. (At this point, I must tell you all that I am indebted to my mother for leaving me in bookshops whenever she did any shopping).

Anyway, having discovered that my ‘hobby’ was actually a recognised educational route, I went and got myself a First Class English Degree (from Exeter University) and an MA and PhD in Critical and Cultural Theory (from Cardiff University). I quite fancied being a cartoonist but I wasn’t sure if that was a proper job – so I became a lecturer instead – Feminist Theory, World Literature, Post-structuralism ... that sort of thing. And then I took up a lovely research post at Oxford University – where I stayed for over 8 years – teaching charming students in beautiful rooms full of oil paintings and watching people punting from my office. Nice.

A HEN IN THE WARDROBE

Strange things are happening at night in Cinnamon Grove! Someone in pyjamas has been chasing frogs in the pantry, climbing trees like a leopard, and even looking for a hen in Ramzi’s wardrobe. . . Who could it be? Surely not Ramzi’s dad?

Yes. Poor Dad’s sleepwalking again! Why? Because he’s homesick and the only solution is for the whole family to visit Dad’s Berber village in Algeria. But can the Spider in the woods, the Wise Man of the mountains or the Tuareg in the desert find a ‘cure’?

And what about Ramzi’s secret plan. . . ?

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* What inspired you to write A Hen in the Wardrobe? I wondered if any real life incidents had helped inspire your delightful story?

That’s a bit of naughty question. Of course, like all first novels, it is pretty much entirely autobiographical – something I would vigorously deny in a court of law! (However, between us, I did find a sheep in the kitchen. I do have a farm in the Berber mountains. My mother-in-law does call me her ‘English bride’. And my little family desperately miss their other ‘home’). Enough. I have said too much!

* A Hen in the Wardrobe is your debut children’s book. Was it your first attempt at writing a children’s book or do you have other manuscripts hiding away?

A Hen was the first chapter book I ever finished. I started a ‘heavy novel’ in Algeria once, but my shampoo leaked in to my laptop and I hadn’t saved a copy. So that was the end of that.

And anyway, I hadn’t really planned on being a writer. I was actually trying to be an illustrator when I became a children’s writer. You see, after I left my job at Oxford (to look after my brood), I began to write lots of rhyming picture books – with accompanying dummies - and they were received by numerous publishers quite well. There were even deals afoot. But 3 (yes, 3!) got dropped at the last minute – and that was really quite painful.

Looking back, I was an amateur. I didn’t know what I was doing. My artwork was fine(ish), but I had none of the technical skills required to change things on request. One particular conversation sticks in my mind:
Publisher: We love your illustrations. But we want some changes. Could you tell us what you work in? (Correct answer: photoshop)
Me: Oh, mainly paper and glue.

A pattern began to emerge. Again and again, I was being told that the accompanying ‘text’ was great but ‘would I be willing to let it go to another illustrator?’ It took me a couple of years before I could bring myself to say: ‘yes’.

So, in answer to your question: A Hen in the Wardrobe was the first chapter book I’ve ever written, but I’ve got LOADS of picture books tucked away in the ‘Idea Box’ by my bed – many of which are currently being ‘matched’ with someone who has more talent. (Note the lack of bitterness in my tone).

* You illustrated A Hen in the Wardrobe with some lovely images. A bit like the chicken and the egg - which comes first? (See what I did there!)  Do you write the story first or do your drawings inspire ideas for your story?

With that particular book, the story came first. But pictures are very important to me – my plot plans are often cartoon diagrams and I was the only lecturer who used to teach ‘post-structuralism’ with the help of a handy chart!

* Do you have any formal training in creative writing and illustration or are you self-taught?

None whatsoever. I am completely unqualified in that department.

* How long did it take you from initial inspiration to finally achieving the publication deal for A Hen in the Wardrobe?

Three years *gasp*!!!!
Let me break it down for the curious.
1) Saw the Diverse Voices Competition in 2009. With 3 weeks to the deadline, I began to write A Hen in the Wardrobe
2) I entered. I didn’t win. (Of course I didn’t win. It was rubbish –it was a rushed first draft!)
3) I got some really detailed feedback from the judges. Some rather lovely praise. And also some criticism.
4) I sulked.
5) I reread the judge’s comments. They were right.
6) I rewrote A Hen in the Wardrobe at a more leisurely speed, taking all the criticisms on board.
7) I submitted it to Frances Lincoln in 2010.
8) They thought it was ‘a lot of fun’!
9) We met. I was offered a 2 book deal.
10) I asked if I could illustrate it and do the front cover? My wonderful publishers, Frances Lincoln, said ‘Yes’.
11) The book was published in Feb 2012. Yay!!!!

* Did achieving a book deal change the way you approach your writing? And if there are any important lessons you think you’ve learned on your writing journey what do you think they are?

I feel like the last few years have been an apprenticeship. I didn’t know what I was doing, and now I slightly do. I sort of fell into being a writer when I was trying to be something else - but I love it and have really found ‘my voice’. (That might sound pretentious, but when you’ve been writing academic stuff for years, it’s sooooo refreshing to write in a style that is slightly more you! Or should that be me?)

* I believe you achieved a book deal without an agent? Have you signed with an agent now? And if so, would you recommend an aspiring author to try and get an agent first or to try a two-pronged approach and to try submitting to publishers directly?

I’m probably the last person to ask for advice on this one. I didn’t really know that agents existed so I just submitted work to lots of publishers. I got my fair share of rejections but then I got into a spot of bother. A couple of publishers wanted the same thing and I didn’t know what to do. Two rather lovely writers (Liz Kessler and Joanne Cotterill) told me I needed to get an agent NOW! But not many agents are interested in picture books, and I’d already sold my Cinnamon Grove series, so I submitted another unfinished book to some recommended agents and found myself in the lucky position of choosing my favourite!

I am now with Penny Holroyde of the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency – and she’s fab. (Oh, and I’ve finished the book now).

* Do you use your own children or any others as a ‘sounding board’ for your books?

No! Not until they’re really polished. It is a well known fact that children tell the truth.

* What made you think ‘I want to write for children?’ Is it a genre you enjoy reading?

The answer is simple: children are my favourite people. They are funny and kind and lacking in prejudice. They think in amazing ways and are ready for anything new. Also, because I’m an English lecturer (on a break) - grown up books tend to be ‘work’ but children’s books have always been ‘pleasure’. And I absolutely have to have children’s books near my bed at all times. It’s the only way I can get to sleep.

* A Hen in the Wardrobe is the first book in the Cinnamon Grove series. Does the next book The Black Cat Detectives also feature Ramzi and his friends and family?

Indeed it does, although the second book centres more on Ramzi’s best-friend, a little Pakistani child-genius called Shaima Stalk. (And her lonely, beetle-loving Aunty Urooj).

It’s not out until August 2012, but here’s a sneak preview of the cover. It took me a few attempts before I drew a cat that didn’t look like a dog:

* And I believe congratulations are in order as you’ve also agreed a series with OUP, which is fabulous news! Can you tell us anything about this?

Not really. It’s all a bit hush hush. So I shall be vague. There was an auction in December somewhere. And the aforementioned publisher put in a jolly bid and sent me home-made biscuits and hand written scrolls! (And I’d always loved their books so how could I resist?) This series is aimed at the same age group as my Cinnamon Grove books – but it’s quite different.

I'm doing a (I quote) 'hilarious' series for the OUP (for ages 8-10) with illustrations by my hugely talented 11 year old daughter - Mina May (big yay!)

Can't give any details away but I can reveal that when I write in the voice of this character, my fingers tingle with excitement the whole time! (Which, I admit, might not be completely normal!)

* And finally… Do you have any words of wisdom and advice to any aspiring writer?

Yes. I do. And no one warned me...

To all aspiring writers: approach writing with great caution. It is highly addictive. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop!

Wendy Meddour's Blog

Wendy on facebook

Wendy's author page at the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency

Wendy also visited tall tales & short stories as part of the Diversity Matters series. You can read her post here

A HEN IN THE WARDROBE ~ a tall tales & short stories review

A Hen in the Wardrobe is quite simply a delightful book - it's fun, charming, subtly educational and touching.  There are mysteries to be solved and problems to overcome but Wendy Meddour handles the subject with a light and humorous touch.  There's a real sense of a warm-hearted familiarity that made this reader wonder if the author had been inspired by experience in real life.

This is truly a multi-cultural book, but one that also highlights the difficulties people can sometimes face when trying to fit into other cultures, or when you're homesick for the country and culture you know and grew up with.  No matter who you are or where you end up, feelings are the same the world over and it can be strange when you're outside of your comfort zone and trying to fit in, but also deeply rewarding too. Too learn about other cultures and traditions in such a child-friendly way can only help promote greater understanding of different cultures, and the book also includes a small dictionary of word definitions and a rather yummy sounding recipe that I really must try myself.

A Hen in the Wardrobe is a fun, light-hearted book perfect for younger readers and with some great illustrations thrown in there's plenty to entertain the young reader as they join Ramzi and his family on their adventures in North Africa.
TB

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