WriteWords Newsletter
After reading this newsletter, you will want for nothing.
WordNerd: Want
There are some words that the WordNerd would love to see revived. One of those is the word 'want,' when used to convey a sense of being without something or lacking something. She loves the idea of declaring that she's 'in want of a cappuccino.' There's a wonderful Jane Austen-like quality to it.
Sounds so much more romantic than simply saying, 'I'd love a cappuccino.' You do her echoes of that older usage in a phrase such as 'That man has a little want in him,' to convey the idea that someone has a void inside them that can't be filled.
What’s Going On: Book Consultancy Session
I was pleased when a budding author approached me to help them find publishing options for a rather unique book they're planning. There are so many publishing options now that it's hard to know where to start.
Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple and do a print run of a couple of hundred copies that you sell locally. There are lots of printing companies offering good-quality, reasonably priced options for authors. Take a look at my Writing With Me consultancy here.
Grammar Grouch: Loving Ham
The Grammar Grouch does not love ham, so he was mystified when he read a declaration of love in a book that read. 'Arthur will always remember that I love ham.' Why would someone want to make a declaration of love for meat that has such a vulgar colour and a bland taste? It turns out that the heroine was in fact declaring that Arthur would remember she loved him. The Grammar Grouch was relieved; order had been restored.
Photo Description: This is a picture of big pink slices of ham on a table.
Submission Opportunity: Almond Press Competition List
I love when I stumble upon a reliable list of submission opportunities that gathers details from a lot of different writing competitions in one place. Almond Press has put together a submissions list for competitions that's quiet comprehensive.
They're mostly for poetry and short story writers, but there are also flash fiction, essay, screenwriting and overall novel competitions. You should be able to find a competition that fits your budget and writing style.
Writing Resource: The Stinging Fly Workshops
The Stinging Fly is a top-quality Irish literary journal and its organisers are offering Stinging Fly workshops with leading writers in fiction, non-fiction ad poetry. There will be in-person workshops happening at the end of June at the Irish Writers' Centre and online Zoom workshops at the beginning of July. International readers might like to come along to those. Find out more about them here.
If you'd like to chat about any aspect of this newsletter or anything wordy, you can get in touch with me via derbhile@writewordseditorial.ie or 0876959799.