Author Description

Do you want to write a short story, a children's picture book, an article or a novel but don't know where to begin? Do you want to know how to make your characters 'come to life', your dialogue sparkle and your settings realistic? Are you concerned with plot, theme, structure and the editing process? This book shows the writer how to develop their ideas into completed stories, with an in-depth analysis of what makes a story work. Author Judy Lawn's book is based on her experiences as a published writer in short stories, children's picture books, novels, articles, and journalism; and her years as a creative writing tutor. My Writing Journey My writing journey is ongoing. I hope I'm still writing when I'm an old lady. But to go back to the beginning - more than twenty five years ago - and my first writing attempts. It didn't take me long to realize they weren't exactly enthralling masterpieces. And I seemed to have forgotten every English lesson I'd ever had! So, I went back to 'school', completing what was then called sixth-form certificate in English, and three English papers through Massey University, a journalism course and a creative writing course all by correspondence. It was while I was working my way through the various writing assignments that my tutor suggested I submit some of my short stories. At that stage I wasn't confident enough to do so; in fact I was terrified at the thought. Other people read my stories? No way! About that time I joined a local writers group - and I came to the first cross-roads in my writing journey. A homework assignment was to write a story about the sea, so I wrote a fishing yarn. I took my story along to the next meet hopeful others would like it. Back in those days I was too shy to read my stories out loud, so my tutor read it out. When she'd finished, one of the other students sniffed, and said, 'Well, it's plagiarism, isn't it?' I was devastated. Even though the tutor assured me the story wasn't plagiarism, I was really ups