Shutterstock / 13_Phunkod©“The People’s Friend” Writing Hour is held every Tuesday at 11 a.m. on Twitter. It’s a time when we can get together with writers for a chat and it’s always heaps of fun!
Every week we summarise everything that went on right here for those who missed out.
How is everyone? What’s your news this week?
We were so sorry to hear that Wally and Sally Ann lost their lovely dog, Mitzi.
There was also lots of writing going on. Some of you are working on Pocket Novels and John Darley has had six poems accepted! That sounds like a good week to us!
When you begin writing a story, do you start with genre, main character or setting?
There was a real mix here. For some of you it’s a character that pops into your head. Kitty-Lydia finds that if she’s working on a spooky story it’s the setting that comes first.
Which book would you like to see turned into a film or TV series?
There was no shortage for answers for this one! “Lessons In Chemistry”, “The Smallest Man”, “Away With The Penguins” and “A Rope In Case” were mentioned.
How easy do you find it to “write for the market”? Do you find it easy to make compromises in your writing?
Marian Myers told us, “I’m happier writing for my current market anyway, so I haven’t really had to make compromises. I suspect I would if I changed genre though!”
David Balmer said, “I’m quite happy writing for ‘the market.’ It’s no different than my work as a musician. I have to play what people want to listen to. He who pays the piper… as they used to say.”
Why do you think there aren’t more short stories in magazines?
“I long for the time when I was growing up when nearly all the big weeklies published stories and more fiction. I’m so tired of only reading either showbiz or sensational stories.” Louise told us.
There also seems to be an obsession with celebrity gossip.
If you were to join forces with a fictional detective to solve a crime, who would you choose and why?
It would appear there will be no crime unsolved! Some of your chosen sleuths are Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes, Jessica Fletcher, Cormoran Strike and Harry Bosch!
We’ll see you at our next Writing Hour on Twitter — 11 a.m. on Tuesday 28 February, 2023.
Or catch up on our previous roundups.
Tracey Steel Having worked on a number of magazines over the years, I have found my perfect place on the “Friend” as I’m obsessed with reading and never go anywhere without a book! I read all of our stories with a mug of tea close by and usually a bit of strong cheese too!
