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Anne Skyvington

The Art of Creative Writing

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Writing

Creative Nonfiction: a modern genre

I have finally purchased a Kindle. Amazon had just released this bigger model (9″ diagonal) that suited me well, since I was wearing reading glasses at the time, and often suffered from tired eyes.

Today, in 2018,  they have slick new 6″ ones that my partner has just purchased.

I love the pictures in the traditional ones, focusing on famous literary figures of the past, like the one of “Sybilla”, that appears on the screen when you turn it off. Note the famous Rossetti oil painting of Sybilla below.

the-art-of-creative-nonfictionI am just starting to learn about the main features, of which there are many, and am already nearly through my first downloaded book: The Art of Creative Nonfiction by Lee Gutkind. He’s a great writer and an excellent teacher. This is a good one to start with, as it contains excerpts of creative nonfiction essays in the appendix.

Like the good academic that he is, Gutkind defines the term “creative nonfiction” in the beginning, as “true stories well told”.

He then proceeds to give examples of the two aspects.

Firstly, Creative Features, that is, just like in fiction, the importance of Theme, Scenes, Dialogue, Framing, Imagery, Characterisation.

Secondly, the Nonfiction Aspect, i.e. the story or content, which Lee Gutkind likes to think of as the teaching part.

During his discussions, he uses examples from his own writings and places them in the context of his “immersion” technique that involves merging with the lives of the people he is depicting, such as at the transplant hospital, the Mayo Clinic, in his own city of Pittsburgh. And in the appendix there is a lot of important information for new writers, admittedly focusing on American input, but also applicable in general.

What I think I will download next is his book that presents more examples of this genre of writing: The Best Creative Nonfiction.

sybilla-rossetti

Sybilla by Rossetti

Creative Nonfiction: a modern genre was last modified: April 3rd, 2019 by Anne Skyvington
September 27, 2012 0 comment
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Writing

Organising a Book Launch

bondi-tides-2011

I have been very busy these last few weeks and months, assisting with the organising of the “Bondi Tides” Anthology. We have had to make decisions on the venue; food and drink; readings; invitations; publicity; flyers; the person to launch the book; sale of books; and protocol.

The editor of the anthology, Carol Chandler has had experience with book launches before, and has been instrumental in making final choices. We in the BWG are are all excited about this coming event, which is to be held on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March, at the Waverley Library in Bondi Junction. We might even pick up some of the many Irish backpackers who inhabit Bondi Beach. The Mayor of Waverley John Wakefield, has agreed to attend, along with the president of the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW, Trevar Langlands.

Bondi Writers had long been part of the Fellowship, and sponsored and supported by them, as well as by the Waverley Library.

The Fellowship of Australian Writers was launched in Sydney in 1928 by a group including Mary Gilmore, and has fostered the skills of well-known writers, such as Miles Franklin, down through the years. The Bondi Writers Group was the Eastern suburbs branch of the Fellowship, and was founded in 2004.  Members have had success in competitions, been published in literary magazines and anthologies, and had books published. The NSW Fellowship quarterly bulletin “Writers Voice” contained competitions and information from the branches, of which there are more than twenty in all.

Other Commitments of the last four weeks:  I have nursed my partner after an ankle replacement; assisted my daughter with a newborn baby and toddler; presided over Bondi Writers’ Group blog; started adding content to a new website; tried to keep writing creatively; attended an uncle’s funeral; and took part in family get-togethers with extended families from places as far afield as Sydney, Darwin, Mullumbimby and the Hunter Valley. Enough excuses for neglecting my blogs …

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Organising a Book Launch was last modified: February 28th, 2018 by Anne Skyvington
September 27, 2012 0 comment
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Book ReviewsBooksWriting

A Young Adult Novel: My French Barrette

Cynthia Rowe was a long-term member of Bondi Writers Group. She was President of the group for nearly four years and is currently the Editor of ‘Haiku Australia’. Cynthia is a successful writer of fiction and poetry. See her website at http//cynthiarowe.com.au.  My review of her book follows:

This is the latest book in the Genna Perrier series, following on from Our Hollow Sofa, Ants in My Dreadlocks, and Stinger in a Sugar Jar.

I must admit to thoroughly enjoying this latest one in the Genna series from so many points of view. It has an exciting plotline to picque the interest of any young adult (and young-at-heart oldie!). Other interesting elements include: mystery, romance, humour, strong characters, and New Caledonian cultural, political and linguistic references.

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A Young Adult Novel: My French Barrette was last modified: July 13th, 2018 by Anne Skyvington
September 27, 2012 0 comment
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About The Author

About The Author

Anne Skyvington

Anne Skyvington is a writer based in Sydney who has been practising and teaching creative writing skills for many years. You can learn here about structuring a short story and how to go about creating a longer work, such as a novel or a memoir. Subscribe to this blog and receive a monthly newsletter on creative writing topics and events.

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About The Author

About The Author

Anne Skyvington is a Sydney-based writer and blogger. <a href="https://www.anneskyvington.com.au She has self-published a novel, 'Karrana' and is currently writing a creative memoir based on her life and childhood with a spiritual/mystical dimension.

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