Struggles

Hey there!
Lately I have been having some struggles with a story I am trying to develop and thought I would let some of my frustrations out. I wouldn't consider it as writer's block because I haven't really begun writing yet! I am in the planning stages and the events that I have thought of sound more like a script for a soap opera! It is so dramatic and over the top!
This realization caught me off-guard the other day when I had a little spare time (from studies) to write and I couldn't write anything because I wasn't happy with the concept or the non-existent message. My writing style seems to be quite different to others, as I have to develop a good plot plan before I can start writing. Sometimes I really wish that I could be like other writers where they just get so absorbed in what they're characters are telling them that they have to be reminded to eat! Sadly this isn't me - not yet anyway. A couple weeks ago I was in the frame of mind that this meant that I wasn't cut out to be a writer and felt quite depressed. Only now do I realize that it is okay to have a different writing style! Heck, that is why we have different types of books!
Once I had realized this I was determined to have another look at my story board (I write my ideas out on a large whiteboard to organize my ideas), this time I looked hard at why it wasn't working and how I could possibly fix it.
I didn't get a solution straight away, so don't think that it is easy to fix up problems, they usually need a lot of time thinking. So the other night when I was still stressing over it I considered throwing the story idea in the trash pile and starting from scratch but then thought, no, I really love these characters and frankly it was too hard to trash it completely! Then I started to have all these thoughts racing in my mind about how all these previous elements could come together from one big event and not be so cheesy but quite realistic. I was absolutely thrilled! Although, by this time it was 1.30am, I was bursting with energy and started to correct my story board.
However, the story isn't completely finalized with intricate detail, it is something that I am a lot happier with and can now start writing it!
Hooray, for triumph!

~Adelle

The Wonders of Copyright

After finishing an assignment about legal issues at uni, my eyes were opened to the wonders of the copyright system. I know you all think - boring! But it was actually quite interesting!

My assignment was to do with the general copyright law as well as another legal issue regarding the writing industry - I chose libel. Because I am looking to become a fictional writer, I thought it would be in my interest to do something that I should be aware of as a writer.

The book I borrowed from the library was very informative, but not overloaded with information about the legal system - just enough to know to be aware of the processes. The book by Helen Shay, the Writers' Guide to Copyright & Law 3rd edition, is quite recent being published in 2005 and as I have seen has a newer edition published in 2009. After skimming the information about copyright and libel, I now believe every writer, editor or publisher should own a copy! I am going to get my own copy as soon as I can, as I found that it isn't about how to deal with lawsuits when they are handed to you but on how to avoid legal pursuits from the beginning - when you are first creating characters or scenes.

I won't go on too much about it but please check out my assignment on copyright and libel issues in a separate page on the left column.

Have a great weekend!

~ Adelle

Booktown

Not that long ago; well, last weekend (was when I wrote this but I think it would be easier to say on the weekend of the 1st May 2010!); I went to a book festival called Booktown in Clunes.
It was a great experience, to walk around the streets of Clunes to find so many other book enthusiasts! There was so many people there to participate in the event, it was quite exciting!

One stall set up at the town hall was quite interesting and stands out to me. There was a table set up with bookmarks and paper with alphabet letters on them, as a header. They were beautiful pieces of art but when the man came up to tell us that the paper was made from goat skin, I was absolutely amazed! They were beautiful! I wish I could have bought one!

Although I wasn't able to stay for the entire day, I had quite a productive time, when I was there. I didn't buy a huge number of books because of budget reasons but would have loved to have had an extra hundred dollars to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

A few other students from my course were also able to make it to the event and used the experience as a chance to network. Specifically at the Publishers Tent, which held the Melbourne PEN and the Australian Publishers Association(APA). It was really good to chat to one of the women in the APA about what to expect from publishers when trying to 'sell' your book to them. It was a great opportunity!
If you want to have a look, their websites are listed below.

http://www.publishers.asn.au/

http://pen.org.au/

To sum up, I had a very good time at the Booktown Festival, and look forward to when it is on next year!

~ Adelle

Introduction

Hi there!!!

This is my first post on "Between The Lines", so I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a bit about myself, why I have created this blog and why I have chosen my title.

As you may have noticed already by the type of questions that I am going to answer that I am the sort of person that asks "Why?" and "Why?" and "Why?" again. Right now I am imagining the never-ending battle of the "why" question with toddlers who want to know what makes the world go 'round.
I am like that.
Although I don't pester people with the actual question, it nags at the back of my head with intrigue.

So to get back on track, a bit about myself. I am currently studying at the University at Ballarat doing a Bachelor of Arts/Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing. I plan to, and have started on the path to becoming an author of fictional novels that reflect realistic drama-type scenarios. Although I would love my books to be classed as popular fiction, it is not my aim to use popular themes but would rather my books to relay messages and themes "between the lines", and then that would be why my books sell.

I am also interested in farming and sustainable land uses as well as horse training. I hope that one day I will be able to own my own property and raise a family on the land. This of course would never stop me writing books, only enhance it I would hope with my own new experiences and inspirations.

I have created this blog to start my writing career by recording events and inspirations that may be relevant. It is mostly for my own record and for others like yourself who may be interested in my experiences or events that I attend.

So as I previously said, the title "Between The Lines" is connected to the type of writing that I like to write as well as read! I love plots and narratives that have hidden messages or many parallel plots and stories. To me, those are well written stories. I just hope that I will be able to write as well as the way the books that I enjoy and admire are written.

~ Adelle