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. Shop around to establish Page 126Stationery Postage Telephone (Bus. Subscriptions Motor & Travel Use of home as Sundries Capital prop. only) (Bus. prop. only) office expend.Fig. 14.Suggested headings for expenditure record.TITLE FORMAT PUBLISHER AMOUNT £ DATE PAIDBrewing Real Ale Article (1,000 words) Brewer's Monthly 50 12.7.9XHopping Holidays Interview hoppicker (500 '' " 25 2.8.9Xwds)Beer for the Connoisseur Article (1,500 words) Home Brew 100 11.10.9XOne for the Road Short Story (1,200) " " 75 21.12.9XFig 15.Suggested headings for income record. Page 127how much you are likely to be charged and remember, accountancy costs can be offset against tax and will prove to be a very worthwhile expense when your work really begins to take off.Finding Support from Other WritersWriting, we are constantly told, is a very lonely occupation even though the image this presents is actually very romantic.There you are, just you, your word processor and your characters. You've locked the door, taken the phone off the hook and disconnected the doorbell. There is nothing to prevent you from producing a masterpiece. Unfortunately, you can't think of a word to write.Confronting writers' blockIt is arguable whether writers' block actually exists or whether it is simply brought about by the provision of perfect conditions in which to write.Like our fictional characters, we will strive to overcome any obstacle in order to fulfil our ambitions to see our work in print. Remove those obstacles and we immediately yearn for distraction.We long to have someone to talk to, preferably a likeminded person from whom we can gain some positive feedback. We need other writers.Joining a writers' circleFortunately, help is at hand in the form of writers' circles, conferences, seminars and courses.Your local library should have details of writers' activities in your area and writing organisations will be only too pleased to add your name to their mailing lists. Societies and associations for writers are listed at the end of this book but for some excellent onthespot advice, here are some words of wisdom from established writing professionals:" 'I look for a strong story with believable, interesting characters that I know I will be able to interest a publisher in. Most irritating are sloppy writing, author arrogance and incorrect assumptions about the trade.' (Carole Blake, agent)" 'Don't just sit there get on with it!' (Patricia Burns, novelist)" 'If you don't enjoy what you are writing, no one else will.' (Martina Cole, novelist) Page 128" 'Don't wait for inspiration to come. Sit down and write, however hard it is. The act of writing itself stimulates the creative flow.' (Michael Green, humorist)" 'Write every day, even if it's only for an hour a day, keep one hour sacred. Do not wait for inspiration, you may wait in vain.' (Susan Moody, crimewriter)" 'Make writing your top priority after family and moral obligations, making sure you spend a certain amount of time each week either writing or thinking your story through, even if it means evening work. Read your work aloud and check for pace etc.' (Margaret Nash, children's writer)Forming your own groupWhilst family and friends can be wonderfully encouraging and supportive, feedback from other writers is invaluable.If all else fails and you can find nothing in your area, why not start your own writers' group? You'd be amazed at the number of people who have a manuscript tucked away and would welcome the opportunity to share their love of creative writing. Page 129GlossaryAnthropomorphisation. Giving animal characters human characteristics.Article. A factual piece written for publication in a magazine or newspaper.Back story. Background storyline or subplot against which the main action is played out.Cliché. Stereotype.Conflict. Problems and emotions providing the obstacles to be overcome in a work of fiction.Copyright. The legal ownership of publication rights in a piece of written work.Dialogue. Conversation between characters.Doubleline spacing. Leaving a blank line between each typewritten line on a page.Fiction. A madeup story, not fact.Flashback
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