Skolion News

Stuck with your writing? Cristy Zinn has five helpful tips to lift you out of the funk I’ve had to dust off my keyboard for this blog because it’s been so long since I last wrote. I have projects on the horizon but getting my head around them has been like trying to walk through quicksand. This is by far the worst writing rut I’ve ever experienced. I’m beginning to ask myself that question: am I a writer if I’m not writing anything? I’m sure I’m not the only writer in the world who has dealt with this so here’s my take on those seasons where you feel like you can’t write and what to do during those times (and FYI, this is totally me, talking to myself right now): 1. IF YOU CAN, PINPOINT THE WHY. For me it’s two-fold. Firstly, it’s been a rough end to the year with multiple personal and work-related dramas, but, secondly, it’s also been some of the most rewarding months creatively because as a children’s book illustrator I’m finally finding my space. I think part of my lack of drive to ...

Icy Sedgwick shares some of the wisdom we can learn from a great master artist The United Kingdom has been spoiled for all things Leonardo da Vinci this year (2019). The genius inventor and painter died 500 years ago, in 1519. To celebrate, we had the 'Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing' exhibition. 200 drawings from the Queen's collection went on display around the country. The British Library are hosting the ‘Leonardo da Vinci: A Mind in Motion’ exhibition until 8 September 2019. We often think of da Vinci as an artist. Or an inventor. And we know about his many notebooks. But we don’t always think of him as a writer.  Still, he’s an inspiration to writers. Here are five lessons you can learn from da Vinci and the way he approached his work. And I’m a huge fan of the journaling. So, I’ve also included journal prompts to help you unpick your own writing habits. Be Multi Passionate Many associate da Vinci with Renaissance art, particularly in the form of the Mona Lisa. Y...

Nerine Dorman shares what makes author co-operatives a viable solution for authors faced with the volatility of the publishing industry Books have always been magical for me. From my earliest memories longingly gazing at my parents’ bookshelves, and being mystified by the tales locked within the covers, and my teenage years where I spent more time reading than studying for my exams… To my adult years where I have more ebooks loaded on my iPad than I can read in a year, not to forget the hours I spend crafting my own stories or those of the authors who come to me for editing. Stories are everything to me, and I’m sure some of you reading this post right now feel exactly the same way. It used to be that publishing a book was an arcane process, watched over by mysterious industry guardians in the forms of agents, editors and publishers. However, all that has changed during the past two decades with the rise of digital media and print-on-demand services. It’s now possible for you to write,...

Nerine Dorman has these five, hot tips to share for writers serious about improving their craft Over the years I’ve coached many writers on their journey towards bettering their craft, so I’ve figured a few things out for those of you who want the short, dirty tips to becoming a better writer over all. You don’t need to shell out piles of clams for these, either. 1. READ BOOKS I mean, this is a no-brainer, right? You wouldn’t have embarked on a stellar career in publishing if it weren’t for the fact that libraries were your gateway drug. Ask any seasoned author whether reading plays a vital part in improving your skills, and you’ll probably get a raised eyebrow or a stern lecture. Or maybe both, accompanied by a slap upside your head. Reading familiarises you not only with the conventions within your chosen language, but the more you read, the larger your pool of knowledge from which you can draw. Watching the movie doesn’t make you an expert on plot and character development, in oth...