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We were very fortunate to have Duncan Ball with us. He very graciously shared much of himself and his experience as a writer with us. Duncan has been writing for 25 years. He was a poor reader in his early life. His family moved from the U.S. to Alaska during the Korean War and were there for four years. They then moved to Madrid for three years and that was when Duncan became interested in painting and drawing and really started reading. He has traveled extensively. Meeting some very powerful writers in Paris was somewhat intimidating but a good learning experience. He moved to Sydney in 1974. We were entertained and informed as he shared some of his early writing experiences with us. One story he shared was about his determination to publicise his first book In an appearance on TV he was aided (?) by a carpet snake which had for reasons unknown taken a great dislike to him. The TV appearance resulted in the sale of - one more book! Some insights shared - t Ask, "What is the right thing for me?" when considering your writing. t Kids like well constructed stories and appreciate honesty on the part of the writer. It comes through in the writing. t There is a problem getting into overseas markets from Australia. - you have to be there to get your work published! t Generally literary agents aren't really interested in you unless you are already making money at writing. t The advantage of having an agent is that they have the expertise in relating to the publisher and at negotiating contracts. The marketing people are the ones who really decide if your book is going to be published. Will it appeal, have a wide readership? Has a book with this theme been recently published? Will our budget allow it? t There is no BEST way to go about writing. . Some polish it as they go chapter by chapter. Some have a plan and know fairly well how the story will develop. Some don't know how it will end but just go with it and hope that eventually. it will come out Start and see where it takes me is OK as long as you are not faced with a deadline! You can't fool around with deadlines. t You never stop learning as a writer - about writing, about publishing and publishers, about editors and sub editors and their wonderful ways, about your readers and about problems that may have to be faced, eg. What happens when an editor is moved up from children's to adult literature and the new editor doesn't like your work? t Your opening has to be really good. Editors will read a few sentences and know whether this submission has got promise or not! t Stories based on Australian historical events could be a good subject for a new writer to research and write on. t Ideas - where do they come from, how do you preserve them? (Emily Eye finger was created as a result of a teacher asking children if they would like to have an extra eye and, where.) t Write everything down that comes to you as possible writing ideas. You can't hold all your ideas in your mind and hope to be able to review them later. Finally - Duncan did not tell us that many of his stories have been awarded prizes and that others have been short listed in various categories of writing awards (over 35 awards and short listings in all). His sharing with us as a practiced writer was most helpful and very much appreciated. Back... |