Liz Newman, Author at The Open College of the Arts

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Liz Newman

Do your romantic scenes stop at the bedroom door? Part 1

Posted: 22/05/17 09:28 | 2 Comments

Do you cringe at the thought of going any further? Nearly all of us are built to the same body plan, and those bodies react in very similar ways. Maybe you’re worried that your family will be appalled at what you write. Ever heard of a pseudonym? I have to admit that it was my agent who suggested I have a go, as she’d been approached about providing stories for an erotic anthology – now long out of print.

The art of parody

creative writing literature parody poetry

Posted: 25/04/17 09:08 | 3 Comments

Parody is enormous fun. It’s a very good way of finding out about other writers’ styles, although you have to choose someone with a distinctive voice. I think the greatest gains are to be had writing poetic parodies. You discover new verse forms, new ways of looking at things, new ways to use images, alliteration, metaphors

Facing up to what you really don’t want to try

BA Hons creative writing creative writing creativity poetry

Posted: 14/03/17 09:13 | 4 Comments

For decades I was terrified of poetry. It all seemed so incredibly technical and difficult. I didn’t see the point; I wanted to tell a story. So when I did my MA I made myself face up to this and do the poetry module, even though the scriptwriting one beckoned as I’d already had five radio plays broadcast. What’s the point of doing a course if you don’t learn something new? I struggled. It hurt. I came to realise that this was something I had to actively learn.

I’ve got stuck

BA Hons creative writing

Posted: 16/02/17 02:18 | 2 Comments

Oh, it happens, and it’s horrible, whether it’s a book, a play or a short story. It’s like being in a maze when you can’t find the way out, and you keep passing the same point over and over again.

Writing for competitions

BA Hons creative writing

Posted: 04/01/17 09:19 | 3 Comments

What are your competition experiences? Did you get any feedback? And if you’ve never tried – have a go!

Creating imaginary creatures

BA Hons creative writing

Posted: 10/11/16 09:39 | 0 Comments

A fantasy setting is usually closer to the world as we know it than a science fiction one. It’s more accessible, and consequently more attractive to a child who is still awed by things that are all too familiar to an adult. Fantasy is unlikely to change gravity, or body chemistry, or a breathable atmosphere, so the creatures that populate that world would be at home in ours.

How travel influences my writing

creative writing

Posted: 10/10/16 09:38 | 4 Comments

During my student days I hitch-hiked round Europe, getting as far as Istanbul and meeting interesting people, getting in and out of sticky situations, and becoming more and more hooked on other cultures, climates, scenery, wildlife. It’s only now I’m in my sixties that I’ve had the time and money to pursue my addiction – the gathering of exotic material for my writing.