Toby Farrier: Character Profile

To create my new novel TOBY FARRIER I need to construct the details of each character.

I have adapted a sheet developed by Merlene Fawdrey, converting the information into a table that I can use to build character profiles for the protagonists of each story.

I find a written character profile to be absolutely necessary, it helps me maintain consistency through the story. When I was writing KUNDELA for some reason I changed the names of the two characters part way through and it took ages to fix. I also read on Fleur McDonald's website that she uses photos as prompts as well and so later today I may be seen carousing the newsagent's shelves for teen magazines.

For the next week only, here is a look at what makes Toby, Toby.

 

NAME:                                               :  Toby Farrier

Position in story:                                 :  Main Character

Age:	15 yrs
Nationality:	Australian
Socioeconomic level as a child:	Lower Middle Class
Socioeconomic level as an adult:	N/A
Hometown:	Stanhope Victoria
Current residence:	Lives with Arthur in Brunswick
Occupation:	Year 10 Student
Income:	N/A
Talents/skills:	Bright Student, Inquisitive, loves writing and loyal
Salary:	Pocket Money from home only
Relationships:
Birth order:	First
Siblings (describe relationship):	Eldest child who disrupts his other 2 siblings
Spouse/partner (describe relationship):
Children (describe relationship):
Parents (describe relationship):	Father: Darren        Mother: Tracy  have a hard time with Toby’s disruptive behaviour.
Grandparents (describe relationship):	Arthur Farrier takes him in and gives him a new focus.
Grandchildren (describe relationship):
Significant others (describe relationship):
Relationship skills:	Good communicator, has made new friends since moving to the city.
Physical Characteristics
Height:	160 cm
Weight:	55 kg
Race:	Australian
Eye Colour:	Brown
Hair Colour:	Black spiky styled hair with blonde tips
Glasses or contact lenses?	Gold rimmed round lenses
Skin colour:	Light olive
Shape of face:	Square good looking pinned earlobes
Distinguishing features:	Jagged scar on left cheek from a broken bottle in a school yard fight
How does he/she dress?	Likes skinny leg jeans, white muscle Tee shirts and sand shoes.
Mannerisms:	Once fidgety and on edge he has calmed under Arthur’s tutelage
Habits: (smoking, drinking/drugs/addictions etc.)	Loves Allen’s Snakes and enjoys a roast lunch with Arthur on Sundays
Any physical illnesses?	None
Health:	Fine never sick
Hobbies:	Played a bit of Aussie rules to please his dad but would sooner read and write stories.
Favourite sayings:	Come on Toby focus, we can do this. Maate!
Speech patterns:	Normal well spoken Aussie English
Disabilities:	None
Style (Elegant, shabby etc.):	Trendy Target
Greatest flaw:	Quick to anger but now under control
Best quality:	Loyal and Honest
Personality Attributes and Attitudes
Educational Background:	Still at school
Intelligence Level:	Top 10 student in every class at high school
Any Mental Illnesses?	Parents thought he had ADHD but a change of glasses by Arthur’s optometrist turns his attitudes
Learning Experiences:	Watches listens learns ad takes lots of notes
Character's short-term goals in life:	Get through school
Character's long-term goals in life:	Famous novelist
How does Character see himself/herself?	Confident and able no challenge too big.
How does Character believe he /she is perceived by others?	Super cool by a few friends but despised by the thug element in his school because of his quick whit
How self-confident is the character?	He doesn’t believe his own publicity grounded and knows his limitations. Works to his strengths
Does the character seem ruled by emotion or logic or some combination thereof?	Logic
What would most embarrass this character	Being reminded of his early ADHD (he keeps this link very close to his chest)
Spiritual Characteristics
Does the character believe in God?	He hasn’t been influenced or exposed to any formal religion but wonders about an afterlife
What are the character's spiritual beliefs?
Is religion or spirituality a part of this character's life?
If so, what role does it play?

 

Novel Writing Report

Pitching our stories was the main focus for the workshop this week. The idea behind the exercise was to prepare those of us seeking a publisher to be aware of the pitfalls and difficulties when promoting your work.

I decided to go with a novel that will be written as part of the NaNoWriMo 50,000 word challenge in November. I thought I was prepared, One page handout, done. Synopsis, done. Chapter outlines, done. Character sheets, done. Once I had given my spiel, Toby Farrier and the secret of the gold fountain pen would be a winner.

I was ready or so I thought. I should have practised the pitch instead of trying to wing it. Normally I have little problem when presenting a product but this was different, even though I knew the story well felt at home with the characters and was among friends, I choked. I knew it as soon as I opened my mouth and the words died on my tongue.

The lesson was not lost. I watched as each of my colleagues presented their work and why they should be accepted for publication. I learnt something from everyone and I have to commend Merlene Fawdrey for including this in her series of workshops, this one exercise has taught us much.

A big shout to author Chris Mack who absolutely smashed the presentation with her pitch. Not only did she know her work,but she came across confident and engaging. Hell we all had our hands in our pocket to buy her book, and yes she was that good. Check out Chris's blog by clicking on the link below.

To do this again I will do the following:

• Dress for the part.  (clothes maketh the man and the presentation)
• Practise the pitch beforehand.
• Leave handouts until after the pitch.
• Sell the story 80% the Author 20% (if the story doesn't capture the interest, the author talking about themselves  will be boring anyway)
• Take nothing for granted.

I will put up my pitch over the weekend and ask for comments on Toby Farrier.


Chris Mack's Blog: http://chrismackauthor.wordpress.com/

 

Merlene Fawdrey : http://merlenefawdry.blogspot.com.au/

Julee Stillman:       http://juleestillman.blogspot.com.au/

Lorraine Jones Wins Brimbank Writing Comtionpeti

Congratulations to Lorraine Jones a fellow member of Wordsmiths of Melton in winning this award. Some of us just bash the down words onto paper while Lorraine manages to craft a well structured story and craft it into a piece of prize-winning art.

Read more of Lorraine's pathway to literary success by clicking on this link to the article in the Star Newspaper.

Star Newspaper Article: http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/star/sunshne-ardeer-albion/370/story/155120.html

Wordsmiths of Melton

I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work
I really must re-read my work

I have done it Miss, I have done my 20 lines. 

I need to take a better look at the work I put up for critique next time as not only did I make some new clangers, but repeated some of  the originals in the re-write. I now feel suitably chastised and have promised myself to do better next time.

Overall a great day today with Frank Lorraine Jenny, Julee and Les. Thanks for the help and encouragement Wordsmiths.

NaNoWriMo Challenge Entry In

Well my entry is in and accepted so the quest before me is to write a 50,000 word novel within  November. I have done the maths and that is only 1,620 words a day or 10,000 a week. Now it's starting to feel more daunting but what the heck I can only do my best.

For anyone who has considered trying their hand at a longer work this might be the thing to get our creativity started. From the rules (and I will go over them more carefully) this is not about perfect writing, the main aim is to get your story down. Bash away at the keys and let things flow, the target number is what you're aiming for.

I understand that you can plot and assemble your characters beforehand but to get into the spirit of the event, you only start the writing on November 1st.

When filling out the entry form I needed a title so looking around my desk I saw an old pen I no longer use. The title of this young adult novel is 'The Golden Fountain Pen'.

I will report my word count progress as November flashes past and offer glimpses of the tale as it develops.

You can access the NaNoWriMo website via this link: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/whatisnano I recommend taking up the challenge or even just visiting to see how other writers from around the world are doing.

Cick the follow button or check my posts on Facebook.

Thanks for dropping in

Last week to read Molly's Boat Ride

If you haven't had a chance to read this short children's story, you only have a week to check out the rough draft on the blog. I will be polishing this story to get it ready to include with a collection of short stories to be published in December,

Ode to the Wordsmiths of Melton

Ode to the Wordsmiths of Melton

We've got this little writer's group

Who meet to read and rhyme

And on Wednesdays at Library

We try to be on time

Frank is here to lead our lot

And keep us all in line

 

While me and Les and Toni

 

Cause Julee just to frown

 

Sonia sits there smiling and serene

 

But our stocks are always bolstered

By the wisdom of Merlene

 

 

 

Stinky Jones Rewrite

Stinky is a story about assumptions people make about those they don't know and how those assumptions can prejudice the views of others. I am very happy with the concept but feel I can tell the story better with a rewrite.

This tale is now in it's final draft and will be released in a compilation of short stories later this year.

Enjoy,

Terry

Time for a kick in the pants

Okay so I haven't put anything on the blog for a few days, nor have I made an attempt to write anything more than an occasional e-mail. I am a chronic procrastination sufferer and this disease is one of laziness. Not something that has been clinically diagnosed, it's more a journey of self discovery and awareness.

I once read if you can't find inspiration to continue writing your work, write about the lack of original thought until you begin to get back into the habit. Today this is what I'm doing, giving myself a well intentioned kick in the pants.

Wordsmiths of Melton didn't meet last Wednesday as it was our first week of the month and the room we use at the library is occuppied, not a key was touched. At our last meeting the group were discussing their entries in the Melton Story Competition and although we have all agreed to submit something I am finding the story hard to develop, several themes rattle around in a skull berefit of original ideas and the echo of defeat resounds in my mind.

Well that's enough self pity from me for now, I feel the kicking complete and and idea developing.

Thanks for the visit, but I have to get on with my writing now.

Cheers,

Terry

Nice words from Merlene Fawdrey

New message in my in box today, it pumped my tyres up a bit so I thought I would share the link:  http://wordsmithsofmelton.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/time-for-shout-out.html

Wordsmiths of Melton

Interesting day today talking about copyright and subplots within a longer work. It seems that I had incorporated these into Kundela without really planning it so I'm happy with that aspect of the novel.

What came out of our discussions is the need to plan a pitch to a prospective publisher and have it ready to pitch to the group next month, so that will be interesting.

Thanks for dropping by.

Wordsmiths of Melton Thank Merlene Fawdrey

Had a great day again today with a few members unable to attend but there was unanimous agreement that our Anthology was a success. Frank Ince went on to say that without the dedication and hard work by Merlene Fawdrey there may not have been a book and we agreed that much is owed to this wonderfully creative lady.

With work commitments restricting the a few, today we were a small but productive group.

Thanks to all for your critiques, it sharpens my pen.

Youth Suicide ABC Four Corners 10th Sept 2012

Last night we left the television fixed on the ABC after Australian Story, something we don't often do as I am a compulsive channel surfer. The programme dealt tastefully with Youth Suicide and the dramatic growth in the number of these deaths this century. To my mind four main points were shown, sure there were more stories and reasons than a meagre four dot points, but this is what I took from it.

1. Suicides result from a feeling of low self worth brought on by a raft of different causes.
2. Most parents and siblings are unaware of the exact nature of the problems the victim is trying to deal with.
3. Everyone is affected, no-one is spared from the grief, or the feeling of helplessness after the person has died.
4. Your friends can't help you once your dead. There is no Internet or mobile contact after death. It is final.

Interesting as an adjunct to this documentary was a report on the news that the government has allocated a paltry sum to help address the issue. Come on you politicians, the amount quoted is a drop in the bucket to what I'm sure your constituents would deem adequate.

So what can we do, those of us who have made the passage into adulthood?

• Try to engage more.
• Raise awareness.
• Set a better example.
• Display more tolerance in our everyday lives.
• Remove the pressure on our children to excel.
• Man hugs, laugh but it may be worth a try.
• An I love you, from a father to a son, or daughter isn't hard to say or do, so do it more often.
• Become a friend on your child's facebook and twitter accounts. Participate in their conversation but don't spy or preach.

We can't blame social media for being an instrument of evil, for as much as it can be a tool for bullies, there are as many or more messages of love and friendship on the Internet. As parents we have to deal with the world our children are living in, and we need to adapt to their ways.

Terry L Probert

Melton Artbeat Festival

I got a little cheeky at the festival yesterday. I attended with the Wordsmiths of Melton and we had a great day with nearly every member dropping in to help out promoting our groups. Councillor Sophie Ramsay called past and during our photo opportunity I explained that I intended to launch the most anticipated novel of this century at the Melton Library in December. I didn't think to tell the throng that it was me who anticipated it most.

Kundela Update Time

Much to report about the progress on Kundela I spent last Monday with Merlene Fawdrey developing a publishing and marketing plan for a series of book launches in December this year. Once we decided on a plan the work has started and I am well on the way to completing about four things on my to do list of about fifty items.

Kundela will be published by Probert Consulting in both paper back and E-book. You should find it appearing during the first week of December making it a great present at Christmas.

For $24.95 This is $5.00 of the rec retail, I can forward you a personally signed pre-publication copy, all you need to do is e-mail your requirements to terry.probert@bigpond.com remembering to include your phone contact details and a posting address.

Les Gillespie's Gold, story update

Yesterday my writers group Wordsmiths of Melton reviewed and critiqued my first chapter and I'm delighted with the response. Apart from a few punctuation errors and an occasional long sentence, there is not a lot to do to correct the first draft.

Here are a few excerpts from the group's comments.

• You have managed to capture my imagination and I am dying to know more. A receipt and a rhyme - intriguing. Julee Stillman

• A great into to the story, and look forward to reading more. Sonia Doherty

• Everyone loves a mystery especially one that has an air of excitement and danger attached to it. You have stated the answers lay in the cryptic wording and it is my guess that most readers will attempt to solve the puzzle and relate their assumptions to the circumstances as they occur. Frank Ince

• Well old chum, the Wordsmiths has done you a power of good. This is the best piece of writing from you that I've read so far. A very good start to what I feel will be a great strong story.     Les Stillman

I'm trundling along with the next chapters and have set myself a task of about four thousand words a week for September which will take me into the first quarter of the book. Exciting times on the keyboard.

You can get an insight into the ghost of Les Gillespie (without me giving the story away) in previous posts on my blog.

Thanks for the visit.

Old Man

Not a lot of inspiration this week other than a rhyme that began early one morning and went to paper and into the computer today. It needs more work so I will develop it more later.

He was grey

He was old

Lines of his face

His story told
 

 

Spotted with age

Hands bony thin

And his life’s story

Written on him

 

 

In his mind

Memory so sharp

No tears in these eyes

Love beats his heart
 

On the porch

He sits all alone

Tea in a cup

Fondling a phone
 

It rings and

He answers again

Smile on his lips

Hello old friend
 

He shuffles

And he creaks

No time for grumbles

Friends he seeks
 

 

In the morning

From quarter to ten

You’ll see him

Phoning a friend
 

He’s laughing

Another story to tell

Old friends denying

Entry to hell
 

Is he lonely

Thinks he might

Kisses her photo

And turns off the light

 

Frank Ince's story "Melanie rents a room" published.

Nice to see a report on Facebook today by Frank letting his friends know his story has been published in Narrator Magazine. Printed back in May, Frank had considered the story to be languishing on a desk somewhere, because he hadn't heard from the publisher. However, in between sending and contacting them, he'd changed his e-mail address they were unable to let him know.

Congratulations Frank, you continue to tread a path for others to follow.

If you know Frank, you can send him a message of congratulations by posting in the comments box below.

Author Interviews with Merelene Fawdry

Drop over to Merlene's Blog to read some interesting Author Interviews, and you can find lots of  interesting links to writing and publishing sites.

Click on the link: http://merlenefawdry.blogspot.com.au/

Les Gillespies Gold 'progress at last'

I am pleased to report that I have finished my first chapter of the new novel. I had to make a start  today because I am finding it difficult to keep making notes without setting them into chapters.

Here is the Synopsis, it will change as the story develops, but for now is what I'm following.

Joe and Laura Gillespie travel to Europe to seek answers to questions about Laura’s past, returning home to appear at a coronial inquest into the death of Lieutenant Gordon Montgomery-Sanders. Sanders, was found dead, in suspicious circumstances, at Hammond in South Australia. He was the prime suspect, in the murder of three of his cohorts, and Queensland man, Jimmy Symes.

While researching Laura’s family in England, she gets word to say she’s a nominee for an Order of Australia award, and they decide to return home early. Joe checks over his correspondence and is intrigued about a request for a meeting with Charles Winkler, the CEO of Raydor Exploration. The mystery of the little rhyme his father would sing to him has infiltrated his thoughts all trip.

Jeff and Tilly, change their careers because of the outcome of Joe’s Heart attack, and beginning spending more time together. They both want to progress their relationship, but are tentative and reluctant to forego parts of their present lifestyles.

            At Wanooka’s Well, events turn sour, when a geological survey team ignores the owner’s mining rights, and trespasses on the Gillespies land. Showing disregard for sacred sites destroy dreamtime carvings when taking samples. Joe and Jeff employ force to remove the exploration team, and face charges from the police.

            The Inquest becomes front page news as the Nation is swept up in the mystery of Gordon-Spencer’s death and the speculation that he has been sung to death by the aboriginal women, or he succumbed to having a Kundela pointed at him by a Kadaicha Man.

            The Minister of Mines singles the Gillespies out at Laura’s Australia Day presentation and tries to force Joe into accepting the Exploration Company’s offer. Jeff meets the Minister in the Gents and the two get into a pushing and shouting match witnessed by a Journalist.

Budjerra of Reestal River

It was a holiday weekend and Montana’s birthday. Mum had promised her that she could spend the three days camping with her friends. Their family lived on a cattle property along the Reestal River and often camped near a billabong, but this time it was kids only, no grownups allowed. They rode with their gear on the back of dad’s old ute,. He’d loaded firewood and everything they needed for their stay.

          Her Dad built a fire for the barbeque while the kids set up their camp. A circle of stones surrounded the flames, and a round steel plough disc waited for the wood to burn into coals to cook their dinner. Sausages and soft drink waited in the cooler ready to make up their feast. Happy with his work and the sausages sizzling, dad looked around and knowing they were safe headed home.

          Giggling and laughing, they were pleased to be on their own. Swigging down their soft drink, and after a night of telling ghost stories, the girls could feel creepiness in the air. It was time to turn in, but Emily wanted to wash her face and she ran to the water’s edge, the vibrations from her loud footsteps waking the fearsome monster.

Hiding under the water Budjerra waited, Emily kneeled to splash her face, as her fingers touched the water it was Budjerra’s time.

          His head was green and tiny, like a kitten’s head, he had a very long body with a short tail. What no one knew was, he had knives poking out of his back looking like a porcupine. Yellow blood stained puss oozed from his wounds.

          His tongue, it was like the arm of an octopus, it flicked out hitting her leg. Its suckers, leech like began drawing blood threw her flesh. Terrible screams filled the air, and as quickly, as they could the other girls ran to Emily. They saw Budjerra sucking her flesh. Montana grabbed a stick from the fire and waved it under his nose. The flames scorching his tongue, his eyelashes on fire, Budjerra’s tongue released Emily’s leg, dropping her, and in a hiss of bubbles, he was gone. Montana had saved the camp.

           They hurried through the scrub, ending up back at the farmhouse so mum could tend Emily’s wounds. The adults didn’t believe their story and told them not to lie, but the girls weren’t lying. This would be a birthday they would never forget, a horrible night to remember.

Wordsmiths of Melton

Top day at the writing group today, Thanks to everyone for the advice and help offered for Kundela chapter 8. I will put your suggestions into action tomorrow.

See you all next week.

How lucky am I??

Last night was one of those where you wake up avail yourself of the bathroom and then the stories begin in your head. It was just before 4.00 am and I got up and made a cuppa, my wife joined me and returned to bed.

I sat at the computer re-writing the last half of Kundela, trying to get it into some sensible order. As I write this my wife is in the next room correcting my spelling and helping with the punctuation.

So I guess I'm pretty blessed.

Moolooloo Farm Stays Review by Zara Urquhart

Lisa Slade and her family run a farm stays accommodation business as part of their pastoral operation in South Australia's Flinders ranges. Read what the Simon Says travel writer Zara Urquhart, says about their place by clicking on the link: http://www.simonseeks.com/travel-guides/sound-silence-flinders-ranges-south-australia__167874

Lionel Probert's War Diary "Bougainville 1945"

I have been transcribing this Journal all afternoon and decided to share some of what he'd written.

The whole Journal is going to take some time to complete and with Edna's permission I would love to publish it for her.

I find it hard to see him as a 23 year old and taking the time to write this down.

Lionel Probert's War Diary Notes:

 

Entry December 21 1945

Corsairs going out with two bombs & belly tank, going out to bomb Rabaul.

Lot of big guns, going up to the front. I’ll bet these Japs are sorry they started this war.

Are going to have a pretty comfortable camp here. Camped on an old battlefield.

7000 Japs killed here last march when they tried to push the Yanks off Bougainville. Almost succeeded.

Sixty nine of them buried just off the road.

Four Letters from Joy tonight, seems to have it bad.

Active volcano 5 miles away, very interesting smoke pouring out all day. According to scientists, it is due to erupt next year. It’s called Mt Bogana. There is another active volcano on island

Big offensive by A.I.F. S/Western side of perimeter.

Yanks beer issue tonight & they sound very boisterous.

Fifteen Aussies buried in Military Cemetery. “Killed In Action”

The War Diary of a 23 year old airman

 Today at the back of the little old memo book used as a journal while serving in New Guinea,I found a poem.

The Journal itself makes good reading, and it shows the way a 23 year old serviceman's  thoughts ebbed and flowed during the war.It's sad yet interesting at the same time.

He called the poem:

To our Daddy, The Pop Poppa Postman

 You’re a ruddy welcome fellow

Mister Postman in the sky

You’re a doubly welcome caller

If it’s mail or only Kai

##

 We all turn out to watch for you

In your Auster-Wirra-Boomer

For your coloured dropping streamers

Put the skids ‘neath old man’s gloom

 ##

We scramble from our dugouts

When we hear your motor hum

And, when you’ve gone we cheer you

I’ve heard them call you Bum

Gertie's first show & tell

Gertie will be six and because her birthday is this week, Miss Brown asked her to share something with her class for their Anzac Day Show and Tell.

From the day she was born, Pop had taken a special interest in the infant. Gertie wasn’t the first of his great grandchildren, but her little face would light up and she became excited whenever he came near her. No one could explain it, maybe it was the old man’s deafness, or his wheelchair, and whatever it was the infant sensed, Pop responded in kind.

Before called up to serve his country during World War 2, Pop had been a schoolteacher. A job, he loved taking pride in helping his students achieve their potential. ‘The greatest challenge for people seeking success in anything is knowledge and hard work.’ He would say ‘If I can show them a path to knowledge, then that’s enough for me.’

War had left him with severe hearing loss, and rather than sit around feeling sorry for himself Pop learned to communicate by using sign language. He began to teach others, signing to those around him and soon, everyone was proficient.

Gertie seemed to catch on quickly, the infant would giggle and wave her hands around in copied movements, soon making words and muddled sentences. ‘She will sign before she can talk, Pop said. He spent hours with her, teaching her about grass, ants, spiders and all manner of things. Gertie loved following the old man around, toddling after his wheel chair while he moved around his raised garden beds, tending to his plants. She loved helping with the chooks, and washing Bob, the old brown dog.

If Pop moved, Gertie was there.

Gertie was born on ANZAC Day, and each year she would watch her Great Granddad polish his medals, getting his suit ready for the ANZAC Day march. The little girl liked seeing him all dressed up in his suit. She stared, watching his medals swinging and rattling on their brightly coloured ribbons, as the old soldier shifted about.

To everyone in town he was Pop, and with only a little bit of grey hair smoothly clipped above his ears, the family would laughingly say. ‘Great Grandad has more hair in his ears and nose than he has on his head.’ Gertie didn’t care she loved the old man, nose hair and all. He was gentle and kind. He told wonderful stories to Gertie and her cousins, all kinds of yarns about the bush, of old times, mystical places with fairies and elves. Pop had plenty, a yarn for every occasion

Living with his daughter, Pop enjoyed seeing Gertie when they visited. She too loved the visits especially climbing up onto Pop’s wobbly old knees while he sat in his wheelchair. Holding onto the arms and laughing loudly, they would speed up and down the passage with Gertie screaming. ‘Do it again Pop.’

Pop, grabbing at either wheel of the chair as they got to the kitchen, the skidding chair would swing around wildly,

Granny would shout at them ‘Out, out, out of my kitchen now’

Pop’s arms pumping the wheels and off they would go again, speeding up to the front room, Pop now grabbing at the other wheel spinning his laughter cart, and starting the merriment all over again. Granny would wave a wooden spoon at them, making out she was cross, but they knew she was just joining in on the fun too.

****

After assembly, it would be time for Show and Tell, and the roll call seemed to be taking forever. All morning Gertie kept checking at the classroom door, wishing they would come. Then as promised, Mum wheeled Grandad into the classroom. He looked at walls, covered with pictures and projects, creations of childhood imagination. Then with a beckoning hand, the tall and smiling teacher called.

‘Gertie please come and introduce your family to your friends.’

Gertie raced to the front of the classroom and standing alongside her Great Grandad’s wheelchair, ‘This is my Pop, and he is here to tell us about Anzac Day.’ she said.

Just as he would do each year on her birthday, Pop had on his grey suit, today the medals seemed to sparkle and glisten even more, dancing in shafts of light streaming in through the classroom window.

‘Gertie, haven’t you forgotten someone?’ Miss Brown said.

‘Oh! And this is my mum’

The old man told the children the story of the Anzacs, he explained why the men and women formed into lines on the twenty fifth of April, and why they marched. Pop explained why it was important for everybody on each side of the conflict to remember their mates and comrades on this special day.
He told the children that now that he was very old and he knew that there were never any winners in war.

Wordsmiths of Melton just another good day.

We enjoyed a productive novel writing workshop today, with Merlene Frawley testing us with a couple of exercises to help with descriptive text, and observation skills. It was good too, to hear about everyone's work and how they are progressing. Bring on the next workshop.

For anyone wanting to try writing as a hobby I recommend you seek out a critiquing writers group and join in. You can learn so much from the other participants it will fast track your literary education and polish your skills.

For more information go to the Wordsmiths of Melton website: http://wordsmithsofmelton.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/wordsmiths-of-melton.html

I advise you to take a look at Merlene's site: ( http://merlenefawdry.blogspot.com.au/ ) where she has provided many helpful links.

If you find the articles people have posted interesting, please leave a comment. It polishes the ego of the Blogger or sets them straight either way your comment is important.

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Les Gillespies Letters

This morning has been quite productive, as I build my the character of my ghost I have had to write a letter explaining the joy he gets from killing. I am now convinced I am developing the mind of a psychopath, finding a path to make the characters interesting is a challenge and my problem is to make theem different to the people I know.

The Character Bus

When I was reaching the end of writing Kundela, I posted a notice on my blog telling the world (or those few who pass by the blog site anyway) saying I had planned the final chapters and would be finished in a couple of days. This prompted Merlene Frawley to ask if the characters were screaming ‘Are we there yet?’ I responded with something about them being on a school bus. I thought was clever at the time, but it has helped me to gel the characters into progressing the outline of my new novel.

            I see myself as the driver, stopping to pick up each character, introducing some and only giving others a nod as they alight. Over the novel’s progress, all of these identities will reveal a bit more of themselves to the other passengers. Travelling to their place in the story, we will come to know what they do, and how important they are. The lead characters will ride the bus every day and those who are casual, will come and go, maybe only riding for one stop, their worth not really noticed over the journey but they remain important to the narrative.

            Merlene has set the class task a for this week’s session, we are to develop the characters of our stories into a readily assessable chart. This has been a huge task and although the new book has a few characters from Kundela, I am finding a need to write out complete character profiles for these old friends. In the process, I am getting to know who everyone is, how they all relate to each other and what their place is in the story.

            For this book, I have written an outline that has a more detailed and flowing format than the one I used for Kundela. Supported by a time line and a storyboard the whole process will be easier, without the need to search for character and plot details of earlier chapters. As they say when painting a house, preparation is the biggest part of the job. With a full tank of diesel and only a few characters ready for work. I’m about to shift the bus into drive and get these individuals to work.

            This bus won’t stop once the manuscript is finished either, I am in the marketing process at the same time as rewriting the draft. This requires building a profile of publishers and their submission requirements, and if that’s not enough, I have become something of a bother to people who I’ve met over the years. Facebook, Linked In, and other social media, are raked over when I remember a name of someone who may remember me.

            The creativity continues as I write synopsis and applications, all different taking care to eliminate mistakes hoping to pique the interest of the recipient. I have received an incredible amount of help and encouragement from Wordsmiths of Melton and Merlene. If I do find a publisher, it is because they accepted me and made me welcome.

More from the diary of Les Gillespies

Poverty and Youth

Unseen by many

And known by few

Cold city streets

Steal soul from you

I am putting a few bits and pieces together for my next book Les Gillespies Gold, and as his family discover Les's troubled past, they find a diary and unposted old letters. These writings are the clue to his demons and a lost gold reef.

Trying to build his character, causes me to explore my ability to create a far different character than I had originally devised.

I hope I can do him justice.

Zombies now getting ready to print

The Zombie Racers of Raggletown

This story has been reviewed by my coleagues and I have included some of their suggestions in my last draft. I hope to put it and more of these stories into a small book due for release with Kundela.

     

Children make more work

So much for taking the kids to the park to escape the keyboard. I have had bits and pieces of the new novel running through my mind for thee days. I needed to surface get some fresh air and release the inner grandad.

After playing on all of the equipment at one park I took them to another. Arriving back at the car Kyamah turned to me and asked when I would write something for children again. When would Wurugi have another book? We talked about many things as themes and a bunyip seems to have won favour as a project for the three of us. Therefore Montanna and I will collaborate on one book while I work with Kyamah on another.

Tonight I promised them a horror story and so I will spend the weekend working on: The Zombie Racers of Raggletown. How creepy can I make it? Not too creepy I hope.

Wordsmiths of Melton, your enthusiasm has rubbed of and therefore I blame you for energy that keeps me at the keyboard, enjoying every keystroke.

The poetry and writings of Les Gillespie

Les Gillespie is the ghost character of my new novel. In a lost diary, his family have found some clues to his surly and destructive make up.

This is one of those clues:

 GREED

At the throne of Mammon

I kneeled to pray

And to the clutch of Satan

I gave my soul away