The Ghost in the Machine
I turn sentences around. That’s my life. I write a sentence and then I turn it around. Then I look at it and I turn it around again. Then I have lunch. ~Philip Roth, The Ghost Writer
A ghost writer is a writer who writes books, articles, or stories that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and politicians often hire ghost writers.
Find out more about this intriguing writing process at our Writers Write dinner for May 2013.
Theme: The Ghost Writer – Our writing exercise will highlight the humorous side of ghost-writing
Venue: The Private Dining Room, Ten Bompas Road, Dunkeld, Johannesburg
Date: 29 May 2013 from 18:30 – 21:30
Cost: R280 per guest – this includes a three-course meal, insights from two ghost writers, and writing exercises (Drinks for your own account)
RSVP: news@writerswrite.co.za
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Shades of Seduction
Erotica is using the feather. Pornography is using the whole chicken. ~Isabel Allende
Naughty bestsellers like Shades of Grey by EL James, Eight Days Yellow by Vina Jackson and Bared to You by Sylvia Day have taken our collective erotic imagination out of the sex shops and dungeons into suburbia. It has laid our fantasies bare between 320 thread-count sheets for a new generation of readers. It is not just Mommy Porn. Everyone reads it – from presidents to members of the PTA - and it is making these fearless writers millions in royalties.
Writers Write is holding an exciting one-day workshop for writers looking to explore the erotica genre, write better sex scenes, or simply to overcome their inhibitions. You will:
- Learn how to create masterful modern heroes and vivid, compelling and daring heroines
- Discover what edgy, sensual storylines tap into the psyche of today’s readers
- Explore techniques to write a sex scene that ties authentic emotion to breath stealing sexual tension
We will help you find your own unique voice in this explosive new genre, showing you how to be original, fresh, and sexy. Break out of the stereotypical roles and find your own literary fetish in a fun, informative and comprehensive workshop.
Join us in Johannesburg on 29 June 2013 from 09:00 – 15:00. The course is presented by Anthony Ehlers who is a published author in both the romance and erotica genres.
Email neo@writerswrite.co.za for more information.
Happy Freedom Day, South Africa.
Google Doodle for 27 April.
Press release
Writers Write graduate signs international book deal
Writers Write graduate, Liesel Schwarz was offered an international book deal for her steampunk trilogy The Chronicles of Light and Shadow.
Opening with A Conspiracy of Alchemists, Random House/Del Rey have published the debut work in the UK, USA and Germany. The Chronicles of Light and Shadow is a series of fantasy novels set in an alternative Europe in 1903. The series is a fast-paced romantic adventure in a complex world, where the forces of Shadow and Light battle for power.
Liesel attended Writers Write and Writers Write 2. ‘Liesel was a wonderful student. She wanted to learn. She was also determined and talented,’ says Amanda Patterson, Writers Write founder. ‘I’m thrilled that she’s had this success.’
A Conspiracy of Alchemists has received excellent reviews and the second book will be available later this year.
If you want to find out about Writers Write – How to write a book, email neo@writerswrite.co.za
Romance Writing Course 16 & 17 March 2013
Join Writers Write, and published romance writer, Anthony Ehlers for a two-day course. This magical experience gives you the tools to write for Mills & Boon. You will laugh, learn and fall in love with your stories and your characters.
This course gives you a thorough, balanced, practical guide to getting your contemporary romance novel started – and finished.
On day one, you will:
- Create compelling characters
- Explore exciting plot themes
- Explore the rules of romance
- Find the perfect setting
- Create sensual tension
On day two, you will:
- Build tension through cause and effect
- Maintain pace
- Structure a plot from beginning to end
- Explore theme and motivation in romance
- Create summaries and synopses for submissions
When? 16&17 March 2013
How long? 9a.m. – 3 p.m. on each day
Where? Ten Bompas Road, Dunkeld, Johannesburg, South Africa
To book? Email neo@writerswrite.co.za
A Novel Romance
Romance Writing Course: 16 & 17 February 2013
Join Writers Write, and published romance writer, Anthony Ehlers for a two-day course. This magical experience gives you the tools to write for Mills & Boon. You will laugh, learn and fall in love with your stories and your characters.
This course gives you a thorough, balanced, practical guide to getting your contemporary romance novel started – and finished.
On day one, you will:
• Create compelling characters
• Explore exciting plot themes
• Explore the rules of romance
• Find the perfect setting
• Create sensual tension
On day two, you will:
• Build tension through cause and effect
• Maintain pace
• Structure a plot from beginning to end
• Explore theme and motivation in romance
• Create summaries and synopses for submissions
When? 16 & 17 February 2013 (Johannesburg)
How long? 9a.m. – 3 p.m. on both days
Where? 10 Bompas Road, Dunkeld, Sandton, JHB, South Africa
How much? R4 000, 00 excluding VAT
If you would like to enrol, please email neo@writerswrite.co.za
Enter this short story competition for children and young adults if you live in South Africa!
Random House Struik is running a children’s and young adult short story competition, with James Patterson as their inspiration.
Patterson, who is passionate about encouraging children to read, writes a range of books for young readers. He was voted Author of the Year in 2010 at the Children’s Choice Book Awards in New York.
Children and young adults living in South Africa can win R5 000 and books for their school library to the value of R10 000.
There are two categories - one for children between the ages of 9 and 12, and another for young adults between the ages of 13 and 17.
The deadline is 31 March 2013.
Visit this link to enter
A Writing Gift This Christmas
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one. ~George R.R. Martin
Gift vouchers for creative writing courses in 2013:
- The View - understanding viewpoint on 2 February
- Short Cuts – How to write a short story on 26 January
- A Novel Romance – How to write a romance on 16&17 February
- Secrets of a Memoirist – How to write a memoir from 28-31 January
- Writers Write – How to write a novel from 14-17 January
- Writers Write 2 – (for Writers Write 1 graduates only)
Email neo@writerswrite.co.za for details.
Secrets of a Memoirist
Attending the memoirs course will enable you to write that special life story that will engage and thrill readers.
Gail said: The Secrets of a Memoirist course has been beyond revolutionary for me, both personally and in terms of providing the technical knowledge that I had hoped to gain. What a journey your course has set me on. Thank you.
Marcia said: I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the memoir course. The facilitator was very good. He facilitated well, always being relevant to the issues that were worrying each of us.
Judy said: I just wanted to thank you again for a very special Memoirs course last week. I got everything I wanted from the course and a whole lot more which I hadn’t been expecting at all! I felt affirmed and supported and encouraged.
We cover:
- Conflict & suspense – how to balance reality with pacing
- Emotion – how to engage readers
- Dialogue – how you speak in a memoir
- Plot – choosing the correct plot for your story
- Setting – how to describe your memories
- Theme – choosing the one that suits your story
- Time Span – even memoirs need a time frame
- Viewpoint – which one should you use
- You as a character – recreating yourself as a character
- Putting it altogether
We concentrate on:
- How to structure a memoir
- Understanding what to leave in, what to leave out
- How to write a publishable memoir with real situations that readers will want to read
When?
26-29 November 2012
28 -31 January 2013
16, 23 February, 2,9 March 2013
Times? From 09:00 – 13:00 each day
Where? Johannesburg, South Africa
Writing Courses in South Africa in November
The Plain Language Programme - Writing for business
Writers Write - How to write a book
Secrets of a Memoirist - How to write a memoir
Writers Write offers the best writing courses in South Africa.
To find out about Writers Write - How to write a book, or The Plain Language Programme - Writing courses for business, email news@writerswrite.co.za
Discover the power of words with Writers Write.
We offer practical courses in business and creative writing that teach plain language writing skills.
Our business courses comply with the Consumer Protection Act.
More than 130 Writers Write graduates are now published authors.
For more information, send an e-mail to news@writerswrite.co.za
Writers Write has more than 15 000 writers and readers who subscribe to their mailing list. Almost 12 000 readers subscribe to their Posterous updates. 5 000 fans follow their Facebook page. Writers Write has 5 000 members on LinkedIn, 2 000 group members on Facebook, and 3 000 group members on their Facebook Book Club.
Write to communicate.
Five Reasons to use plain language
No business should waste resources producing documents that are dense and difficult to read. People don’t have the time or energy to wade through gobbledygook.
When we communicate in plain language, misunderstandings disappear and the reader actually reads the information and uses it. Staff and management don’t spend precious time explaining what they meant.
Plain language:
- Streamlines procedures and paperwork
- Increases understanding and satisfaction among customers and staff
- Reduces confusion, complaints and enquiries seeking clarification
- Creates a positive image
- Saves time and money
Which businesses and industries should use plain language?
All organisations can benefit from using plain language. Non-profit and the public service sector improve their reputation in the eyes of the public. Private industry gains a competitive advantage.
Organisations reaping rewards from using plain language include:
- government departments
- municipalities
- banks
- insurance companies
- law firms
- legal advisory services
- information technology companies
From Writers Write
