What I've Been Doing by Jen Storer Researching and writing The main character in my new middle grade novel is from 'old money'. She lives in a rambling country mansion. Indeed she does. So I went to Buda in Castlemaine and had a poke around. Got the 'old money vibe'. Fantasised. Pretended. Reminisced. (I have …
The Scribbles Creative Writing Awards Shortlist!
Hello, dear reader! Today is Shortlist Day! So, what’s the big deal about a shortlist? Lordy lord! A shortlist groups together the best. It acknowledges the most accomplished in a huge collection of entries. It’s how we make literary awards (such as the Scribbles Creative Writing Awards), manageable — both for the judges and …
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Writer? Illustrator? Six reasons you’re in a personal development bootcamp
Ever since I started coaching aspiring and established authors and illustrators over at girlandduck.com, I've been saying the same thing: This is a personal development bootcamp, honey! Remember when Goldie Hawn joined the US army in Private Benjamin? She thought it would be a lark. Maybe they'd do a little stretching, some 'jogging' (remember jogging?), …
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The winning stories in our Scribbles Creative Writing Awards. A rundown on each!
What a finale! The judging in the Scribbles Creative Writing Awards is over and our beautiful certificates are winging their way to our winners and highly commended. Other prizes are also being dished out! Sheesh. We don't just give you a certificate and send you on your way! That is so NOT the Scribbly way! …
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Creative Writing Awards and a fantastic FLASH sale! (Plus Elsie’s ongoing makeover.)
Okay. So. I'm writing this while someone drills the outside walls of the studio. Not sure what they're doing. It's like there's a giant dentist outside trying to break in. A painting just fell off the wall, knocked a cup of tea flying and tipped over a Peace Lily. Aside from that, it's business as …
Shining on the slush pile (revisited)
The following is a transcript from an early Q and Q Friday (Questions and Quacks). You can read the transcript or you can scroll down and watch the video. Yay! If you subscribe to girl and duck you'll receive a Q and Q video like this one, every Friday. Straight to your inbox. Free! Dear …
What do editors know?
It’s only subjective! They don’t know everything! You have to stick to your guns! Over the years I've been privy to conversations wherein authors discuss/ argue/ wail about their editors. Likewise, I'm often asked by aspiring authors and illustrators, ‘What should I do when my editor makes suggestions and I don’t agree with them?’ Sometimes …
The 2 problems publishers have with rhyming picture books
Hello, sunshine! Missing Q & Q Friday? Here's a transcript from a lovely one we recorded last year. Thanks to Suzy from Wagga Wagga in NSW for this awesome Q! You can listen, read or watch. Whatever suits you. or visit the Girl and Duck Podcast on iTunes where you can subscribe and listen on the go. The Q: As an aspiring illustrator who …
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Rhyme and rhythm in picture books
Earlier this week I dreamed that I wrote a Little Golden Book— but somehow forgot to tell anyone. In the dream, I was flicking through the book (which was illustrated by Lucinda Gifford but in the style of Gabrielle Wang!) and I thought, ‘This is lovely. I must blog about it.’ I don’t know whether …
In conversation with a wolf (who is also an illustrator)
When I was an aspiring children's author back in the 1980s, the only career guidance I could find was Mem Fox's autobiography. Ahem. Aside from that there was one other book, a textbook, kicking around. But it was fairly lacklustre and I don't recall its title. Other than that, it was just me and me typewritin' machine (it …
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