A spilt pot of black ink
Covers your soul
Gone in a blink
Then back with a blow
This weapon is heavy and strong and true
A friend you thought, a part of you
Then it is dashed
And reality changes
Light has entered
The darkness endangered
The evolving writer
Writing Workshops 2017
Reflections
What an amazing year! My first book published and distributors knocking at the door! Wonderful clients who teach me so much and fabulous new friends and colleagues who enrich this journey.
Next year will see my second book published, writing workshops, more fantastic clients to help work on their books and another Sexpo. I’m sure other exciting projects will come along too, I just cannot wait!
My new workshops will include;
Noosa
I was trying third person writing whilst away this July in Noosa. I didn’t publish it at the time because I didn’t like it but it’s grown on me a bit more now.
Noosa
He walked along the shoreline looking out onto the river, under the surface of the water he knew the fish were territorial. The flat glass surface reflecting the suns glinting rays however showed no sign of this underworld. Just as the pretty girls that walked the riverside their bodies happily bouncing showed no signs of the venom that Tom had experienced. No sign at all on their beautiful faces or their long smooth legs. They should come with warning signs! thought Tom.
Jules had been his latest jilter. Tom was a tall lad 6ft 3, broad shoulders and an even broader smile. Girls fell for him even before he opened his mouth and his Irish lilt spilled out, showering their small pretty ears with gifts of kindness and compliments. The problem was that Tom would bestow these kind gifts on anyone and everyone. They were not precious stones only occasionally found glinting in the sun, they were showers of light that would pour out of him. Sharing was his gift, he knew no other way. At first a beautiful sight but all too soon the receiver of these gems would want them all to herself, would want the sharing to stop.
These wonderful women didn’t think he would stick around. The next pretty girls head to turn was after all just across the road or serving him his next skinny cap.
Noosa was a seasonal resort and Tom hadn’t yet suffered a summer when the stifling heat was like wading through a sickly sweet soup. Tom was a dreamer and the next road trip had always been just a pay check away until now. He had fallen for Jules and had spent slow Sexy evenings sharing wine by the river, wrapping her up in soft blankets so that his hands could wander free.
He had also fallen for Noosa, the river had a vibe of its own different to the beach and the buzz of Main Street. He could easily settle here. What he had failed to tell Jules was that he had citizenship and could stay wherever he chose but he didn’t want her to know, he didn’t want to give anyone that power again and so Toms vicious circle kept turning, except this time he had found its axis.
A Curiously Normal Sexpo
Whilst arriving at Sexpo this weekend with my subject of sexual liberation I couldn’t help thinking of comparisons of my book with a certain Shades of Grey, obviously I’m happy about being compared to a book that has become a multimillion dollar business. In the back of my mind I was thinking how the ‘Grey’ books have changed erotic fiction and people’s acceptance of it, did I need to be at Sexpo? Surely sexy fiction is mainstream now? Maybe it is but liberation certainly isn’t as I found out almost immediately.
Fictional Memoir
Apparently Truman Capote was one of the founders of the fictional memoir. What a fabulous idea weaving fiction and fact together, most of us do that everyday anyway and sometimes the fabulous freedom of fiction can help you focus on the facts.
Letting fictional characters reveal truths about yourself and yet leaving the reader wondering about exactly which threads are real is genius. As for the author talking to a stranger is so much easier, talking to the reader who we cannot even see is so much simpler, thank you!
When a character knows you enough to take you through all of your trials and tribulations and takes the time to gently reveal a different perspective they become your allies, part of the team. Occasionally the protagonist propels their perceptions with no protection for the author but that’s ok we are just the singer in the band. Thank you Characters.
I believe the writer is in flow when they write from their subconscious not their conscious mind. That is why you cannot edit as you go and also why there are so many mistakes. It’s like a right hander putting the pen in their left hand and finally getting to their truth. Obviously it’s extremely freeing but also confronting and continuously changing. Thank you subconscious.
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and On The Road are well known fictional memoirs. I wonder how many or which of Jane Austens novels are fictional memoir? I’m also sure there are many novels that are still sitting in ‘fiction’ whereby even the author doesn’t realise or are not willing to admit to fact. Thank you authors.
If you would like to find out how to write your own fictional memoir then please get in touch! frankiebanks27@gmail.com
My fictional memoir Sharks and Lovers is available to download here Amazon
Winning Gold
Today a published author asked me to work on her memoir with her. A wonderful woman who I connected with as soon as we met. I have had such a busy day that it has only just sunk in. I’m feeling very lucky.
A Wonderful Life
Another amazing week took place and I realised that this isn’t just another amazing week. This is the start of my career as a writer, this is the start of my wonderful life.
Having my book in print is so empowering, being an author is now tangible and not just a product of cyberspace, it is in my hand. The essence of my story is what counts just like all stories. It is the heart that tells the story, not the brain. The fingers can fumble around messing up the letters and punctuation but the heart is what you hear. That’s if you are really listening of course.
I joined a new writers group last week and again I found myself surrounded by Amazing people. Most writers, (personally I believe the ones that are any good) wear their heart on their sleeve. Even when the beat slows, stumbles, races or misses it can still be heard.
Sharing is a writers arrow so I do think it is rather appropriate that my first gig is at the S.H.A.R.E seminar room at Sexpo, I can’t wait. The world is open, my book is open and so is my heart.
Let’s share.
Front & Back Cover
My book is at the printers, it’s so exciting! I can’t wait to get my hands on it however I had a huge reality check when I realised the back cover did not sell the book at all, it just explained the characters. It had to change, three drafts later and this is what I ended up with, I’ll probably do a few more changes but it’s getting there!
Games of Love
Games People Play is a book I enjoyed reading whilst I was studying. Berne explores transactional analysis by way of the parent, adult and child. I on the other hand decided to take a slightly broader look at who my characters chose as partners, their parent, child or equal.
Lets start with Milla, she thinks she wants a parent to look after her and so looks for men with power unfortunately it soon becomes clear that she will always be the victim in this situation. Then along comes Tabatha, she doesn’t control Milla, she lays back and enjoys Milla’s courage. Tabatha is strong enough to be her equal and so neither has to fall into the victim persona.
Stacey is the mum in all aspects of her life and craves to be the child, the one who is looked after. She doesn’t want to give her power up completely and so this relationship can only ever be casual, this way she is still in control of her life and others.
Sharon has succumb to her child fantasies with Lenny, as he worships her and keeps her captive. Her fun in the cellar has fueled her power and now she wants to explore the world and needs a more experienced ‘Daddy’ to lead her, Harry gladly accepts her hand.
Tabatha wants to play the adult so badly she is striving for this, to be the best she can be and takes every opportunity. When she realises that Rick wants a parent she looks elsewhere, she doesn’t want that responsibility because she knows it will weigh her down.
So what role is Harry playing? The parent to them all, he loves the power and for a while he relies on his equal at home, his wife Lin but what happens when he has no equal? When Lin decides it is her time to grow and not be held back by her ‘child’ Harry’s world starts to fall apart, no one has his back any more and he starts to slowly unravel. Will Sharon be able to take on the role, is she strong enough? Or will Harry finally take control of his life, his emotions and himself.
What game are you playing? Is it your best?
My novel Sharks & Lovers is available here; Amazon, iBooks, Kobo