Tag: students

A few months ago, towards the end of October 2017, this post detailed my definition of the essential steps to writing and publishing.

Today’s post includes what works for me in organising, writing and editing my book.

Organisation – Planning, Preparing, and Reminders

Having to juggle many things the tools that work efficiently for me are:

Evernote – I include my timeline of ‘to do things’, from chapter deadlines, my professional development reading, research and reminders for podcast and webinars I should follow. The added benefit is that an email reminder can be set to ensure I am aware of what’s coming up. This is an organisational tool that would benefit anyone with an overloaded weekly or daily schedule.

iPhone notes – My ‘on the go’ note making when the creative muse beckons without warning! This is then emailed for a quick inclusion into my work in progress.

Writing Software

After writing my first two books exclusively on Word, which I still use on a daily basis, I tried my hand at Scrivener. Its an amazing tool for planning and writing your draft in one place. It has all a writer needs from a word count feature at the bottom of the chapter, as you write (this helps keep your eye on your number of words per writing session as you go) , files and folders for everything from research, character profiles and a whole lot more. It’s not the easiest to navigate as a newbie to the tool so I purchased, Scrivener Superpowers: How to Use Cutting Edge Software and am finding my way through new discoveries of the magical properties of Scrivener every day! If you’re a plotter this is your ‘to-go-to’ writing tool and it serves you just as well if you’re a pantser. I write on Scrivener, save it in Word for polishing up and editing before the professional edit and am in the process of moving the edited manuscript back to Scrivener. The Scrivener app is available for your iPhone and iPad too!

Self-Editing Software

It is recommended that you give your draft a thorough check before the professional edit to eliminate ‘unknown’, ‘unseen’ errors.

These are three editing tools I find useful:

Grammarly

Hemingway Editor

Prowriting Aid

Why use all three?

Each has its unique way of alerting the writer to ‘creative mishaps’ from missing words, sticky sentences, overused words or lengthy sentences and good old proper use of punctuation and grammar and more!

While you might not agree with all suggestions, you are made aware of what might obscure meaning for your reader.

The writer needs an objective ‘third eye’ – while technology is a godsend, the human eye is essential if the ‘sense and meaning’ of the writer’s lines are to be interpreted as close to the writer’s intention.

More on the blog in future posts on new discoveries that are working for me.

Happy writing! Happy Reading!

Please share what works well for you and your preferred tools of the writing trade!

It’s with gratitude that I write this post today in respect for the invitation to speak on reading and writing at a local school whose English Faculty and Librarian are tirelessly working to foster a love for reading to encourage students to expand their horizons and improve their speaking and writing skills.

Leading up to my talk, students were asked to send me their response to, ‘I enjoy reading because…’ – a simple question that elicited some thoughtful responses from teenagers.

Here are a few lines that suggest that young readers seek refuge between the pages of a book:

I enjoy reading because it is a spectacular and intriguing ticket to a distinctive and captivating dimension which either creates a gulp of despair or a shiver down my spine.
I enjoy reading because it allows me to be in two places at once.
I enjoy reading because it allows me to escape reality without leaving the comfort of my home
I enjoy reading because it allows me to broaden my horizons without having to get on a ship and sail halfway across the world…
I love reading because my heart is satisfied- my heart learns more than my brain can ever know- I learn priceless lessons. It’s the portal to my heart.

Additionally to complement the study of Cry Freedom I was asked to share my apartheid, South African experience on a personal level to forge greater connections to students’ appreciation and understanding of the world through the study of their school selected text.

The sharing of a terrible history elicited compassion and questions from students on how one overcomes this decimation of one’s people and identity and yet remain simple and humble, free from anger. My response was, that drawing from family values, the people one associates with and careful selection of role models will ultimately work in sync to fortify and support the entrance into light from darkness. I cited Nelson Mandela’s ideology of tolerance, acceptance, and forgiveness as the selfless way forward. This attribute shapes the crafting of the character, Marcia Ntuli, in my novel Across Time and Space.

The final message was that reading expands understanding of diverse ways of thinking, promotes exposure to varied writing styles and elicits inspiration from the unique crafting of characters and their experiences.Ultimately it’s about allowing strength to grow from fear.

To Quote Jane Austen:

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! – When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

Here’s to many hours of delightful and informative reading!

What are your views on the benefits of reading for teenagers today and into the future? Extend the conversation today.

What’s In Your Writing Toolshed?

School BOOK TALK