Aspiring Writers

"As a writer, you live more intensively, using participant-observation. You do things, using all senses, knowing you will write about them afterwards."

Hazel's three hints to aspiring writers are: "Write regularly. Persist. And always consider your reader - who are you writing for?"

'Lockdown' Writing During the Pandemic

Many at-home families are looking for reading and writing activities.

Writing a fun family history based on photos, illustrations and even interviews with those in the house, can give a sense of purpose.

Extra , downloadable, free activities will be added here regularly.

Like these: Hazel's 10 Minute Writing Challenge.pdf Time limits.

2. Write a Birthday Story as a Gift for a Child in Your_Family.pdf

3. Compliments Jar.pdf Cheer up with home-made compliments.

4. J' Accuse.pdf In Court. Water is on trial, accused of destroying people and property. Fun script.

5. Embarrassing Moments.pdf Luckily/Unluckily easy story to share on Skype.

6. Hazel's Ideas for Stories_.pdf Some 'what if?' story starters.

7. River Snag Role-Playing Script.pdf problem-solving, scripting & acting could take a week.

8. T for Title Story.pdf Link your favourite author's titles into YOUR new story.

Henry's News

9. Swap 'Snail Mail' Word Games: During Lockdown of older family, drop home-made word games on doorstep.

Grandfather Word Games

10.Scrabble Dog Cartoon Strip.pdf: design 3 frames about funny stuff during the Lockdown.

Dog poo with a difference when letters are eaten and dropped.

Scrabble Dog Cartoon Strip

11. Pandemic Pet.pdf : Make up a pretend pet friend to stay with you. Draw it. Picture book links.

12. Vegetable Garden of Guesses.pdf, Sample Clue: A sneaker near the beans = runner beans. Families are making veggie gardens, but this is VERY different. Give clues. Make guesses. Story provided.Illustrated it.

13. Lockdown Log: Each day write ONE GOOD THING which happened around your place. Draw it. Go on an Alphabet Walk and identify an object for each letter a-z.

14. Family (10 minute) Gallery: Self-portrait in 10 minutes. Turn one wall into an art gallery. Each day, add 10 minute sketch of a family member or a gift drawing for them.Add date.

Family Art Gallery

15. Dance-Song: Create your own dance song, for exercise with younger family. Larrikin Puppets who are creating 'Hjabi Girl' the musical with puppets to be performed Post- PANDEMIC, have simple moves with catchy lyrics in 'Dance Like a Unicorn' Make your own simple puppets from whatever is around your 'locked down' house.

Larrikin Puppeteer

16. Recording Picture Books: Hazel Edwards reads 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' on Kinderling radio.But you can audio record ( with sound effects) or film your own stories.Special copyright permission has been given during the Pandemic, to record published picture books for schools and library use by at-home students.Browse Hazel's website for others.

17. Making your own e-book series. Since e-books are easier to get while in Lockdown, read one as a family serial (sitting outside in fresh air). Then write your own 'What happens next?'

Check here for activity sheets and for Alchemy links to Hazel's e-books. Maybe you'd like to start with 'Astrid the Mind Reading Chook? who rides a Harley.

Astrid the Mind Reading Sleuth

Or 'Project Spy Kids' series, or the 'Frequent Flyer Twins' series even if nobody can fly at present.

Books help you travel anywhere.

Project Spy Kids

18. Simple Orienteering (STEM activity) Design a map of your house or garden. Mark 10 places with numbers. Have numbered clues on list.

Suggest activity at each place e.g. Throw ball into bucket 3 times, with 'other' hand.

Same map can be used with different clues. Easy reading , junior mysteries Gang O Kids were written when our family used to orienteer.

The 'tech' has dated, now we have GPS etc ,but the stories work. Make up new mysteries using these characters.

19. Young Brothers Jack and Harry published their own picture book 'The Little Green Frog' about resilience.

The frog keeps trying.

the Little Green Frog

20. Designer Book Mask

My kind neighbours Mary & Angus designed me Hippo book masks for the Pandemic.

Try designing your own?

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Check the following articles and videos for strategies on how to craft your ideas and words.

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Hazel's Articles on How To Write

Writing for Different Purposes, Diverse Audiences and Getting Published

How to Self-Edit .pdf
Antarctic Vehicles Characters Viewpoint.pdf : Writing for animation and for pre-schoolers
Hints for Getting Published
Choosing Non Boring Titles A checklist for making your title work
Surviving Rejection; Options
Co-Writing Examples and hints
Overcoming Writer's Block Interviewing your Fictional Characters
Where Do You Get Ideas?
How I promote my books.pdf published in Buzz Words.
Literary Tourism Being a Reader-Traveller

Writing History

13_Tips for Family Historians Marketing a Memoir.pdf
How to Write for Grandkids Translating family secrets for your kids & grandkids
How To Write History for Kids, in Non Boring Ways
How_to_write_a_eulogy.pdf

Different Writing Techniques

How to Write Stories to Music
Writing Junior Sports Fiction
Writing Classes for Kids Creative Collaboration Hints

Considering the Reader

Book launch with title themed food

Autographing at Abbotsleigh Literature Festival with Geoffrey Mc Skimming & the Book Parade

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Videos for Aspiring Writers

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From Seven Steps with thanks

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Books and Workshops for Aspiring Writers

Anthologies: 'Trust Me Too',(international 2013 White Ravens listing) sequel to 'Trust Me!' anthology contains stories by over 50 Australian writers. Hazel's satirical 'Tag' story is about tattoos, graffiti and copyright. W.I.P.article about writing'Tag' (60.41 KB) is a useful student or teacher resource. Third anthology 'Rich and Rare' , listed for CBCA Awards, includes Hazel's 'Scam' story.

Hazel offers a range of workshops, tutorials and publications to help aspiring writers.
Click through to discover more details.

Books & Workshops

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Useful links -Literary links & professional organisations

Australian Society Of Authors
www.asaauthors.org

ASA logo

National organisation for authors which provides contract advice, the stylefile showcase for illustrators ( www.thestylefile.com) and professional support. It has suggested fees for author speaking, and information about rights such as ELR and PLR (Educational Lending Rights and Public Lending Right) and CA payments (Copyright Agency Licensing) which are important income sources for writers. Keesing Press has writer relevant titles.

PO Box 1566 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Australia

Australian Society of Authors

Suite C1.06 22-36 Mountain St Ultimo NSW 2007 Australia

T: (02) 9211 1004 | F: (02) 9211 0125 |

CA- The Australian Copyright Management Company
www.copyright.com.au

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
www.scbwi.org

International organisation of authors and illustrators which offers marketing and conferences.

The Australian Chapter www.scbwiaustralia.org