Paeony Lewis Returns

Norwich Writer's Circle welcomed back Paeony Lewis tonight to adjudicate our In-House Competition Four.

Competition Four required Circle members to write the text for a Picture Book in no more than 500 words.

The successful children's author and tutor that she thoroughly enjoyed reading the 13 competition entries, relating them to her golden writing rules.

Paeony golden writing rules are that stories:

• feature writing that flows
• do not feature pedestrian language
• aimed at the correct audience
• must be child-friendly and centred
• include characters we care about
• have a clear story structure
• have an awareness of the illustrations
• include emotions expressed through actions
• feature clear language

The winners of the competition were:

1st
Only Joking
by Cathy Rushworth

2nd
The Big Surprise
by Mickie Dann

3rd
Rocky's Twango
by Maureen Nisbet

Commended
Listen, Can You Hear Me?
by Thelma MacFarlane

The meeting concluded, when a packed Sexton Room heard a variety of entertaining competition entries, including the winners. We were also then lucky enough to enjoy an interesting discussion with the visiting writer on the process involved in publishing a picture book.

We next meet on 17th May when we will be holding one of popular Manuscript Evenings. Please feel free to come along and join in.

Paeony Lewis

Norwich Writer's Circle's 2010/11 programme continued tonight as we welcomed tutor and children's author Paeony Lewis to our popular writing group.

To a packed Sexton Room, full of new and familiar faces, Paeony discussed her writing career to date, along with holding a workshop on creating child characters.

During the workshop, everyone in the room collectively discussed the differences in children's attitudes in several age-groups including Under 5s, 7 to 9, and 11 to 13. We then had in fill a detailed character sheet for our fictional child.

Both the above exercises lead to several humorous responses, whilst Paeony pointed out to us what we were learning from completing each of them.

In addition to the above, the visiting author also launched our In-House Competition Four. This competition requires Writers' Circle members to write a Picture-Book Story Text of no longer than 500 words.

Paeony's recommendations for the competion were as follows:

• To think globally - many publishers seek with a worldwide audience, as it provides them with a good return.
• Do not have a cliched attitude towards children - each child is different, and to be very aware of this fact.
• Make the character stand out by being larger than life and 'in your face'.
• Be truthful in your tale.
• Give your story a happy ending.

On 1st February Lucy McCarraher will returning to the Circle once more, to judge our Novel Outline competition.

We hope to see you next time.