Dim's Write Stuff

That post title may sound a bit self-congratulatory, mainly because it is, but it feels like my harbour is slowly filling up with ships. Those I cast out into the winds of fate are finally finding their way back in. Amongst the small flotilla, another short story, Getting to Know You , which has received a Highly Commended in the Charlotte Duncan Award 2015 . And whilst I never normally like to blow my own fog horn unnecessarily, the real bonus was receiving the judge's report, which as those in my writing circles can attest, as feedback, is worth its weight in gold doubloons. So nice to know I am setting the right course. Getting to Know You drops the reader into the topical issue of social media, told through the experience of its twelve-year-old protagonist. The well-developed relationships between the main character and her family and friends round out the issue-based story. Suzie’s feelings and actions will be recognisable to many kids, giving them insig...

Do you have a Harry Potter trapped within you bursting to be free? Do you know someone between the ages of 10 and 19 who find it hard to suppress their written words? Then check out the latest Young Writers' Program for Kids on offer by the Queensland Writers Centre. These workshops are sure to bring out the budding author in you. I'm especially intrigued by the Story Safari and wish I knew the appropriate age-reversing spell which would make me 10 again so I could don my khakis and tag along with Tristan Bancks. Aimee Lindorff Write On! (Age 12 – 17) with Aimée Lindorff Tuesdays (Term 2) Commences 16 April, 4:30 – 5:30pm. Do you love to write? Want to make new friends with similar interests? In this 10-week workshop series with Aimée Lindorff, you’ll learn the secrets of building tension between your heroes and villains though narrative, themes and story structure. Discover the core ingredients of great storytelling, from getting ideas out of your head ...

There is nothing an author, fledgling or fully flown, likes better than to see their own name in print. Well that's not 100% accurate in my book. I prefer to see my actual written words in print. But to be perfectly clear; the thing that really rocks my boat, is having others see my words in print. Which is why, when the good folk at Australian Women Online  chose one of my short stories for inclusion on their dynamic online info hub as part of their Bedtime Stories for Children , my little heart lurched and pulsed with pleasure. Read all about "Marcie's Green Eyed Monster" online. Print it out and share it with a small child you know or anyone who loves a wee story because there's nothing that would make this author happier than knowing her words have been seen and shared. Oh, and feel free to let me know what you think. Please be gentle. 'Let us Read, and let us Dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.' Enjoy.

Thrilled to discover that one of my short stories for children was shortlisted for the Marshall Allan Hill Children's Writing Award 2011 Competition . This annual award is conducted by Jelli Beanz Publishing  who focus on short stories and poetry especially for children. " Voice of Winston", is a humourous little tale about one girl surmounting her fears in the pool with the help of an over talkative mozzie. It didn't quite win this year but has given me plenty of warm fuzzy feelings to 'just keep swimming.' Keep an eye out on my Kool Kidz page  for it some time soon!

Kids keep me teetering along that fine line of complacency and wanting to do better. Their sense of logic, realism, fantasy and tender pragmatism somehow weaves into rich, satisfying life tapestries in ways I could never create with mere words, but try constantly to emulate. Their raw enthusiasm breathes life into art the same way coffee kick starts my tired brain. I simultaneously marvel and envy their crafty naivety. This also happens to be why I adore writing for them. During recent Book Week Writing Workshops , when I asked students why they thought I might enjoy writing, the reply was often, "Because you like having fun." Yes. Who doesn't? Writing for kids is truck loads of fun. One of the frequently asked questions I got asked (being not quite as well known as JK Rowling) was, "What have you written?" I garbled on about short stories for school magazines, picture books etc. Hindsight being 100% correct and 100% use...