Monday Writerly Roundup: Competitions and Characters
Info about a new poetry competition and how to create convincing character.
Successful SpeakEasy Event
Last Friday, I was let loose on a real-live Au. Thor. as MC for the SpeakEasy event I’m involved in running in Waterford. It all went splendidly, from the chat over peppermint tea in a restaurant to the highly stimulating Q&A session in between.
The author was Sophie White, who read from her books Corpsing and Where I End. It was a delightful evening, and being involved in SpeakEasy has been one of the highlights of my life as a writer.
Photo Description: Here I am at SpeakEasy in Phil Grimes Pub, Waterford. I’m on the right in a pink shirt and our featured author Sophie White is on the left in a green shift dress. There is a red curtain and a SpeakEasy banner behind it.
Convincing Character Interactions
Once you’ve created characters for your story, they need to start interacting with each other – that’s where the fun starts. Creating compelling character interactions is very important if your story is driven by your character rather than a twisty-turny plot.
This article from Story Embers shows you how to create character interactions that sizzle, with tips on how to add conflict and give your character flaws. You can use these tips whether your characters are fictional or real.
Sean Dunne Poetry Competition
I mentioned the Sean Dunne Poetry Competition a few weeks ago. It’s being run in honour of the late Waterford poet Sean Dunne and it’s still taking entries. This is a new competition and it would be great to see it being supported, to keep Sean Dunne’s memory alive. Entries close at midnight on 12 May. It also has loads of prizes.
You’ll find details for the competition on the website for the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore, which is organising the competition.
New Paid Subscriber
Delighted to announced that I have a new paid subscriber, Ann Johnson, a woman who does sterling work for the arts in Waterford. She’s the engine that keeps many an event running and is a great supporter of artists. If you’d like to join Ann as a paid subscriber, you can pay €5 a month, the cost of a frothy coffee. And you’re also welcome to continue reading for free – it means a lot.
And finally… you know those sleeves you see on the covers of some newly published books? They’re handy to use as bookmarks, because of their cardboardy texture. Well, those sleeves have a name – French flaps. Sounds rather risqué.