CALLING ALL WRITERS’ GROUPS

Hi folks,

I’m Irene Edwards.

Here I am again with a few ideas for new enthusiastic writers and groups in our community. I have recently interviewed the author, Nigel Hanson, who has written a book called…

“NEW AUTHORS START HERE”

UNDER HIS PSEUDONYM OF GODFFREY GREATOREX.

This textbook will be of interest to writers.

What reviewers say about the book…

“Original and incredibly instructive, but above all inspiring.”

“For any first-time writers seeking the necessary tools to begin their first novel, this is the book to read.”

“The way you have assisted the beginner is thorough.  You have provided people with all the information required, by the notepad and the pen; so that they may actually commence themselves.”

“GodffreyGreatorex offers some original perspectives which I haven’t read in other books, so in that way it will help the reader get to grips with the task in a more wholesome fashion, taking concepts a stage further towards the right track and towards publication.”

Look out for this book, as it’s written by someone who has taught and assisted writers in writers’ groups for many years, until the day came when Nigel Hanson decided to publish his ideas and techniques of writing guidance,in order to illustrate how colour and form in writing can lead to a richer creative piece of work. The book is both inventive and original, and stands out for being so, butit also stands as rather an academic piece of writing. I decided to interview the writer on one of his annual holiday breaks to Carmarthenshire to discover more about the writer/ academic/ author.

The interview with Nigel Hanson.

Nigel Hanson – musician and Brit Writers’ Adult Songwriting Award Artist 2010, and author / facilitator Godffrey Greatorex to London Writing Groups as he takes the stage at the O2 Arena, London.

Irene: Hello GodffreyGreatorex.

Godffrey: Hello Irene

Irene: Welcome to our interview today. Thank you for coming.

Godffrey: Thank you for inviting me.

Irene: Why did you consider writing under a pseudonym, rather than use your own name Nigel Hanson?

Godffrey:For two reasons. I am known as Nigel Hanson in the musical world, and I wanted to keep my musical compositions separate from my involvement in writing. The second reason was that I just fancied a pen-name.

Irene:  So, for this interview I’ll call you by your pen-name, Godffrey. When did you first start writing?

Godffrey: I started at 16, when I then lived in Ireland, and I sold my first novel to my teacher.

 Irene:  I see that your book, Godffrey, “NEW AUTHORS START HERE” is a primer for stalled, or jaded writers. What does it offer them?

Godffrey:  After my Diploma in Creative Writing, I started facilitating at writers’ groups and settled on a format known as the ‘Teacher-less Writing Class.’ My book passes on everything useful that I learned from listening to amateur pieces. Their raw quality threw up writing issues galore into high relief, which taught me over time, many lessons on ways and means to produce effective, and affecting, passages of writing.  My book shares many of these lessons and I feel confident in commending it as a textbook to fellow writing apprentices. The book actually began its life as a bible for my own use, and it soon emerged that others would like to have it too.

Irene: I noticed very useful listings for writers to set them off on the right path of thinking.What do you need to know about a project before you start writing?

Godffrey:One must examine the title, or have a phrase in mind. This is how it works for me. I keep a day book and write down all my ideas, remembering to put in enough information or references, so that if I return to the subject later I have my starting points. The buzz lists in the book are on hand to stir up confidence and direction. The textbook is a volume I wish I had been given when I first started writing.

Irene: Interesting. In your book “NEW AUTHORS START HERE,” have you attempted to bring together everything that can be productively useful to the writer?

Godffrey:Everything about how pieces of writing can be composed and polished to best effect. It’s an academic take on writing, really, but nonetheless, valid. My book outlines what readers mainly need from stories they read. For such of us as fail to get our works out, it’s like we’re presiding over the perpetual cremation of our creative soul.  The book takes a near comprehensive look at writing from functional perspectives, featuring, among other approaches, what I call ‘painting by sentences,’ one akin to Michael Bond’s mode of working on his Paddington Bear books.

Irene:  Will you expand on that, please?

Godffrey:  Firstly, you draft sentences that perform prime functions in your work-in-hand, then worry about their order. Next, you gear them up to achieve the literary level you desire. Finally, the polishing stage is when you concern yourself with what I term ‘in-fill’.

Irene:  What are the common traps and challenges for aspiring writers?

Godffrey: Writers face functional challenges common to all writing.  I decided that it’s only the ways these are addressed that are varied.  Begin with functionally purposeful sentences and others, organically, should follow as inexorably as night follows day.

Irene:  Your book, I know, addresses these common “challenges.”  But, is there anything else especially notable about the book that you’d like me to draw attention to for my readers?

Godffrey:  Thanks for asking.  It provides a list of specified ‘filters’ to consider putting your later draft through.  The book is meant to empower writers who are still scratching their heads about ‘ways to think’ as they process their material towards late drafting stages.  It makes visible potentially much that was invisible to them before they started to engage with my book’s contents.

Irene:  Yes. I noticed a review of your work penned by Bob Seldon, of the National Learning Institute. He says there are ‘very good examples of how certain concepts come together,’ those of ‘duplification, (the duel use of a prop or other facet within a story), types of works, sorts of plots, and dramatic possibilities.’ The book offers an excellent source for getting started on the ‘first great novel.’

Godffrey:  I coin many terms for technical issues and devices- one’s that commonly recur – for aspirants to consider when analysing works they encounter to enjoy or to study.  I’m proud of the terms I’ve coined, also amused by a few.

Irene:  My personal favourite is one you call “Mentabolic Rate”- the rate at which writers process their ideas.

Godffrey:  I’ll agree on that one.

Irene: What makes good content? How do you know when a piece of content is doing well?

Godffrey:If the content excites the writer, then the adrenaline flows as the writer gets caught up in the drama of the written words on the page. This is always a good signal that the content is possibly relevant. There should be some sort of a story stem within the content.

Irene: Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Godffrey:  Writing always energizes me. The story stem should give the writer momentum. Once I start on my writing I just continue for hours and hours.

Irene : For many years you have returned to holiday in Wales. What do you love about your holidays in Wales?

Godffrey:  Oh! Everything- the scenery of undulating mountains and fields, the lengthy beaches, castles and all the treasures it offers. But mostly, the wonderful memories of enjoyable times spent annually with my friends here in Carmarthenshire.  We really had some fun times in Llansteffan. I would recommend a holiday in Wales to all tourists. It’s an inspirational place for writers like myself and others, and a relaxing break from city life in London, where I held my writers’ groups for up to thirty years.

Irene :  What other interests, apart from writing, do you have, or have had success in?

Godffrey:Music has been a huge part of my life. I’m a singer/song-writer. In 2010 one of my songs won a national competition. On other occasions I have composed music for films.  At the moment many of my pieces can be heard on Soundcloud, if the listener searches for my name- Nigel Hanson.

Irene:  Thanks for taking part in this interview today.  Good luck with the book, Nigel.

Godffrey:  Thank you, Irene for having me.

For the moment Nigel is offering a free promotional version of the ebook ‘for reviewing’.

If you wish to apply send him a message request via email to:

speakingoutofturn@virginmedia.com

This offer is for West Wales Chronicle online readers only.