I have given up watching this bobbins and yet millions tune in every week. Why? Even with the addition of a live audience it’s a tired format.
Here goes the structure:
After the obligatory ‘coming up’ spoilers, the judges enter the arena with all the fanfare afforded to returning gods. Following this, a procession of deluded wannabes are paraded in front of the mocking nation. Many of these dimwits are accompanied by their entire family, a mob of genetically hamstrung individuals who take issue with the judges. About this time a sob story will pull at the heart strings and some unlikely council worker will rise up from the dross and blow away the judges. If only they would. The chuckling Louis and smug Simon sit there like bookends spouting innuendos designed to keep them in a closet they should have left years ago. Meanwhile, Dani – who sits there no less obsolete than Arlene Philips – can only look on in envy as Cheryl basks in the kind of public affection last offered to Princess Di. TV has no jury like a woman scorned.
Monday
Sunday
Book Launch
Saturday saw the 2009 NewWritersUK festival where Chasing Shadows was launched to great success.
Big thanks go out to all of you who turned up to see me. I really appreciate your support and your presence made it a wonderful day. Full pictures will be put on my Myspace page this week so have a look (via my website). I must also thank everyone who helped with the event and all of the punters who purchased a copy.
Big thanks go out to all of you who turned up to see me. I really appreciate your support and your presence made it a wonderful day. Full pictures will be put on my Myspace page this week so have a look (via my website). I must also thank everyone who helped with the event and all of the punters who purchased a copy.
Monday
Derren Brown
What did Derren Brown do? He gave us all six lottery numbers after they were announced. Key word folks, AFTER! He claims that he had already selected his six predicted numbers beforehand but Camelot wouldn’t allow them to be revealed until the draw had been made. Yeah right. Now let me make two predictions of my own. One: Wherever Derren goes people will be asking him for the lottery numbers. Two: This will get on his nerves.
Wednesday
Making a thriller thrilling.
I will be talking at the NewWriters festival (see earlier blogs for details) at 12:15pm. The subject matter: What makes a thriller thrilling?
Great thrillers provide a roller coaster ride of adrenalin, but what makes this possible?
Memorable characters aside, I view the following as the crucial elements that go to make up a thriller.
They include:
Establishing plot.
The importance of conflict.
Providing hooks.
Creating suspense.
Planting twists.
The ticking clock.
The surprise ending.
Great thrillers provide a roller coaster ride of adrenalin, but what makes this possible?
Memorable characters aside, I view the following as the crucial elements that go to make up a thriller.
They include:
Establishing plot.
The importance of conflict.
Providing hooks.
Creating suspense.
Planting twists.
The ticking clock.
The surprise ending.
Monday
Festival Launch
The 19th Sept see the launch of Chasing Shadows at the New Writers UK Festival V
I'll be giving a talk and signing books and if that's not enough you can check out the following:
Creative writing workshop : Guest speakers : Independent Publishers : Book stalls : Snapshot presentations : Support for new writers: Secondhand Books : Raffle : Refreshments : Free Admission and Parking
Date: Saturday 19th Sep 2009, Assembly Rooms,County Hall,West Bridgford,Nottingham NG2 7QP,
From: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Our Guests: Helen Hollick, Author and Scriptwriter Mark Thornton, Proprietor, Mostly Books, Abingdon Simon Potter, Publishing Manager, Print on demand– Worldwide, Steve Bowkett, Educational Consultant and Author, Raj Pathak, Film-maker and the Producer Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor David Taylor. AuthorHouse UK Ltd and Discovered Authors, Historical novels, crime, thrillers, true-life stories, children’s and teen fantasy adventures, ghost stories, non-fiction and more.
Special Event:Prize presentation to winners of the Creative Writing Competition for Children at 2.00pm. Prizes presented by Des Coleman of BBC East Midlands TV
I'll be giving a talk and signing books and if that's not enough you can check out the following:
Creative writing workshop : Guest speakers : Independent Publishers : Book stalls : Snapshot presentations : Support for new writers: Secondhand Books : Raffle : Refreshments : Free Admission and Parking
Date: Saturday 19th Sep 2009, Assembly Rooms,County Hall,West Bridgford,Nottingham NG2 7QP,
From: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Our Guests: Helen Hollick, Author and Scriptwriter Mark Thornton, Proprietor, Mostly Books, Abingdon Simon Potter, Publishing Manager, Print on demand– Worldwide, Steve Bowkett, Educational Consultant and Author, Raj Pathak, Film-maker and the Producer Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor David Taylor. AuthorHouse UK Ltd and Discovered Authors, Historical novels, crime, thrillers, true-life stories, children’s and teen fantasy adventures, ghost stories, non-fiction and more.
Special Event:Prize presentation to winners of the Creative Writing Competition for Children at 2.00pm. Prizes presented by Des Coleman of BBC East Midlands TV
Tuesday
New Writers UK
The NewWritersUK are a non-profit making, ever expanding group, supporting authors and prospective authors alike. If you live in the UK and have ever written - or would like to write - a book, then check out what we have to offer.
From getting published to selling you novels, NewWritersUK is here to help in all aspects of the writing process. Members include: editors, cover designers, web specialists, and authors of fiction and non-fiction, covering practically every genre.
Our members have access to an online forum where you can post questions and discuss all aspects of the writing/publishing/marketing process with fellow authors.
Every year we hold a festival in Nottinghamshire, at which non-members are
welcome to attend.
For more information, or details on how to join us, visit www.newwritersuk.co.uk
From getting published to selling you novels, NewWritersUK is here to help in all aspects of the writing process. Members include: editors, cover designers, web specialists, and authors of fiction and non-fiction, covering practically every genre.
Our members have access to an online forum where you can post questions and discuss all aspects of the writing/publishing/marketing process with fellow authors.
Every year we hold a festival in Nottinghamshire, at which non-members are
welcome to attend.
For more information, or details on how to join us, visit www.newwritersuk.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)