Just Right Words | Writing service
Just Right Words
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25.01.2022 There is an audience out there for your knowledge and your passion, you just need to share it. Whether the sharing comes in the form of social media posts, like Shikha Colwill or Darren Saul, or in picture books, like Nicole Godwin Tusk Books or Susanne Gervay - sending your knowledge out into the world will benefit someone.
25.01.2022 If you're a teacher, and any of your students groan when the timetable says 'writing' (or if you groan at the thought of having to teach it) - try engaging and energising your writing sessions by looking at what motivates our authors and illustrators and have a go at some of their writing tips. It may be all you need to lift the energy in your room. https://justrightwords.com.au/local-authors-motivating-stu/
23.01.2022 What is important to you when you're looking for someone to trust your work or business with? For me, it's all about three things: * their ability to connect with me * how well (and how frequently) they communicate * whether they're willing to cooperate What's important to you?
23.01.2022 Bx Business Networking - amazing opportunities in Canberra, nationwide and in NZ!
23.01.2022 So the reader can feel this emotion when they read, the author bleeds a little of themselves into every book they write. There is nothing worse for a writer, whatever stage they're at from aspiring to highly published, than to be torn down by insensitive feedback. You may think you're being helpful and 'constructive' but your words may cut like a knife and leave irreparable damage. This isn't to say you should be insincere either. Just be aware. Find an editor who understands you and your writing, and who can deliver constructive feedback in a sensitive and supportive way.
22.01.2022 Sunday seems like a good day to have fun with words. What's your favourite double-meaning word in a sentence? Double-entrendres, pun ...
21.01.2022 Words of wisdom and inspiration from our local authors. Check them out - especially if you're a teacher. And, if you're an author, jump on board - we'd love to have you. https://justrightwords.com.au/local-authors-motivating-stu/
20.01.2022 It frustrates me when I see the potential in picture books and kids' lit going unexplored. You can teach so much more than just 'English' through a well-written picture book, junior fiction, mid-grade novel or poetry anthology. A creative person who understands the curriculum can find so much more than you may think. Don't waste these wonderful resources by limiting yourself to one subject.
20.01.2022 How many other authors out there feel like this? The constant battle with words, the attempt to tame them and make them behave, and the sheer joy once we've made them work!
17.01.2022 Doing a Bx Buy and Sell today. First time for a while - it's good to see some different faces (and familiar ones.)
17.01.2022 Several years ago, I was at a SCBWI ACT workshop for children's writers and someone in the audience asked this very question of the panel. The answer, which from memory came from the amazing Stephanie Owen Reeder was something like this: I usually find I need to stop editing and redrafting when I start putting in things that I took out of the first draft. Sound advice that I've always remembered. And yes - it does happen.
16.01.2022 Interviewing authors is an absolute joy.
13.01.2022 Gina Newton is one of the most passionate children's authors I know. She writes about environmental issues in a way that resonates with kids and empowers them with knowledge at the same time. Gina has TWO new books out, Combat Wombat to the Rescue AND Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish. Both have exceptional, detailed and fully curriculum-aligned teacher notes too. (I know this because I worked with Gina on them.) And - she's shared some great tips and ideas for students and teachers on the Just Right Words author showcase pages here: https://justrightwords.com.au/local-authors-motivating-stu/ Teachers - engage your students and motivate them to write by sharing author tips with them.
12.01.2022 Amazing to be part of Susanne Gervay's launch of her book, 'Heroes of the Secret Underground' last night at The Book Cow in Kingston (Canberra). Also the semi-official launch of my new side business (aka passion project), Write Angles - a speakers' agency supporting local authors with teaching notes and presentation activities, and connecting them with our local schools. Grab a cuppa and sit back to listen to Susanne's story behind this truly beautiful book. Part historical fiction, part autobiography - philosophy, fantasy, adventure, suspense - there's something for everyone in 'Heroes of the Secret Underground' - all ages. (Note - the first 5 or so minutes show us all getting ready ... but still an interesting insight to the fact that book launches involve real people, doing real things.)
12.01.2022 The A-Z of Writing and Editing: Z is for zanyism (not zoilism) I promise you, I did not make these words up in my desperate search for relevant words that start with Z ... zoilist was my first pick, but I didn't want to end this series on a dark note. A zoilist is an unnecessarily harsh or carping critic - they are rampant in the world I immerse myself in, believe me - darkly driven by jealousy a lot of the time. The word comes from Zoilus who was a Greek grammarian and one o...f Homer's harshest critics, enjoying the nickname of Homeromastix (Homer-whipper). In fact, many writers don't need external zoilists as they have their own personal zoilist voice within their own minds. Rather than being a zoilist, or being affected by the zoilism of others, I would encourage all writers (and editors, for that matter) to embrace zanyism instead. Be zany - or clownish - with your words. Have fun with them. Use them wisely and for good.
11.01.2022 Whether you're in business and writing blog posts or proposals, or you're an author trying to extract that novel you've had inside you forever - getting that first draft down is a massive step. It's hard and it won't be pretty but you can't craft something wonderful if you don't have anything to craft it with.
10.01.2022 Whether you're writing a novel, a short story or a blog post - you need to be clear on what your story question is - before you start writing. Knowing your story question will keep you focused and, ultimately, make your intended message more powerful.
09.01.2022 Do you know and appreciate your worth? Whether you’re a small business owner, a team member, a teacher or an author - you won’t shine until you know your worth and share your story.
09.01.2022 The A-Z of Writing and Editing: Y is for YA What the ...? Yes, a slight stretch and a smidge of manipulation today, but if you don't know what YA is, then this post has hit the mark because I really want to talk about all the acronyms and jargon prevalent in the writing and editing world. (It's also present in every other world, particularly education, but we're all about writing and editing here.) YA stands for Young Adult literature. Books that are written for the 12ish to ...21ish age bracket, but are great reads for anybody slightly, or well, beyond their 21st birthday. The thing is, I have mentioned to a few people that I write for the YA market and, more often than I would've expected, the response has been 'Huh??' The world of writers and editors is full of acronyms and jargon: YA, MG, POV, WIP, slushpile, MS, query letter, NaNoWriMo, SF, PB ... aarrgh! Such fun! You may not 'need' to know it all, but it helps to be aware of such terms - and if in doubt ... ask! There's no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to untangling jargon.
08.01.2022 Two wonderful books with teaching notes written by me on the Reading Australia website. https://readingaustralia.com.au/lesson/bully-on-the-bus/ https://readingaustralia.com.au/lesson/duck/
08.01.2022 The relationship between an editor and an author needs to be one of trust and mutual respect. Some people are an absolute joy to work with. Thank you Susan Steggall.
04.01.2022 Lovely recognition - brilliant networking group I’m proud to be a part of.
03.01.2022 I have a few favourite quotes that I roll out from time to time because they resonate with me and my life. This one is from my favourite Roald Dahl story, courtesy of Willy Wonka. What quote do you love because it reflects who you are or what's going on in your life? (Background photo credit: weesen on Visualhunt.com)
02.01.2022 The fabulous Sandra Bennett has a new book out - Fossil Frenzy - the third in her Adamson Adventure series. Below is just one of the many valuable tips from authors you will find on my website, right here: https://justrightwords.com.au/local-authors-motivating-stu/ Take a look. If you're a teacher and you like what you see, please let me know ... and share it around.
02.01.2022 We all have a story - what is yours?
01.01.2022 How can you teach a Science unit to Year 5 and 6 based solely on two wonderful books of (non-science) poetry by the amazing Harry Laing? Too easy. (Here's a hint - Science is in everything, but you need to know where to look.)
