Fiona McIntosh
Hello All
I’m just breezing through to say how much I’m look forward to the festival next week and to meeting the students. Thanks to all who have read my fantasy titles and I’m happy to sign anyone’s book - I’ll be carrying a pen at all times! During the Scotch College Literary Festival I’m pleased to say that my new novel for middle readers - The Whisperer - will be formally launched (it’s out now) but for anyone following the Valisar series (volume one is Royal Exile), you might be pleased to hear that Tyrant’s Blood, volume two, is printed and being sent out now to bookstores for release at the end of this month.
Oh yes, and in perfect timing for our workshops next week, I’ve lost my voice! Probably shouting at my sons so much to clean their rooms, pick up their wet towels, take the rubbish out, walk the dog but I think all they hear is ‘blah blah blah!” Anyway, I’m drinking vats of honey and lemon drinks to be 100% for the festival and still trying to work out “The Watchmen” that my pair made me share with them last night. I’ve decided I’ll have to rent it again to fully understand it.
Have a good week, and before the workshops try to think about what makes a great read for you…most importantly, why? Can you analyse what it is about your favourite books that makes them memorable?
See you on Aug 10.
Best to all, Fiona Mc.
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August 7th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Hey Fiona,
I will be introducing you in you in the first session on Thursday, for year 10. Just wondering if there is anything that you would like me to say?
I admire your writing and cannot wait to learn about your writing techniques and skills. I myself like to write, and am looking forward to thursday.
MARC
August 7th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Hi Foina,
I will be going to your workshop on Monday, I’m in year 7. And I can tell you right now I just can’t wait for it. I am really looking forward to hearing about what you have to say. I love writing stories and I would really like a professional opinion on how to write a good story. I love fantasy and I am planning to read your books immediately. When did you write your first book?
Campbell
August 7th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Hi
I will be thanking you in the second session for year 8 (tuesday) i read The quickening and thought it was very good. 9 out of 10
August 7th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Hi Fiona,
I think I will be introducing you for the third session on Wednesday. I am extremely eager and looking forward to the numerous writing techniques that you will be showing us.
JX
August 7th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Hey there
Wow! Now I’m beginning to feel some pressure. I would be happy simply to sit in the classrooms and have a conversation with all the students about writing, your own projects, how I approach mine, etc. However, we’re supposed to give you a workshop and so perhaps it’s important that you leave the session feeling that you’ve learned something or at least gained some insight. But please come armed with lots of questions - I would LOVE to answer them and especially to learn about your own writing dreams and any manuscripts on the go.
Happy to make it a motivational type workshop!
Thanks for your very warm welcome, boys. Really looking forward to seeing you all.
And Campbell, I wrote my first book nine years ago, so I was a very late starter but I have about 20 books now and I can’t imagine having any other career. That said, I loved my time in the travel industry and it helped me to roam the world and gather lots of ideas for stories.
Have a great weekend. Fx
August 8th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I have around seven questions for you and will ask you on Thursday.
They are:
How many books have you written?
Which is your favourite book?
Which books did you enjoy writing the most, why?
What book did you find hardest to writing?
What inspired you to write.
Are the books based on experiences or friends?
and for someone who is writing a novel what suggestions would you have for them.
Thanks Paul C
August 8th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Hi Fiona,
I’ll be introducing you in the first session on Wednesday for Year 9. I can’t wait to hear about your experiences in writing, and your advice for young writers like myself. I’ve just started reading the Whisperer, and right from the very beginning, I couldn’t put it down (except to write this comment!). The description, the plot, the suspense and the character development is just amazing (this is among the best books I’ve read), and the imagination and ideas that have gone into the story are mind-blowing. I’m really looking forward to meeting you in person, and I’m sure we’ll all benefit hugely from your workshops.
See you on Wednesday,
koalaboy
August 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hi Fiona,
I went to your workshop on Monday and I really enjoyed it. I went to libary straight after to borrow the ‘Quickening Series’. I have already finished the first book Myrren’s Gift and today on Wednesday I am starting the second book- Blood and Memory. WHAT A COMLICATED PLOT!!
In the book Blood and Memory he is in his third body!
The idea of Quickening is extremely intriguing and whether it is a curse or a gift is the main ‘idea’ which runs through the book.
I have a few questions-
How long did it take you write the series?
How did you come about with the plot? Did it take a long time or did it just suddenly come to you?
Did you get any ideas to write your book from any other books you’ve read?
And did Myrren (the witch) go into Wyl’s body when she died in the burning or did she actually die and give Wyl her gift?
Also did she first have ‘the quickening’ and then when she died she gave it to wyl?
Thanks a lot,
David A
August 12th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Hi David
Thanks for reading Myrren’s Gift and for enjoying it enough to move onto Blood and Memory. I hope that middle volume satisfies and you can rush to the library for Bridge of Souls! I loved writing this series - my imagination, fuelled by chocolate, was on fire! How long did it take? Well, I usually write one of my fantasy novels within about 14 -16 weeks. The concept for The Quickening slipped into my mind after a conversation with a friend who had recently visited a clairvoyant and had been told she had lived many lives. I get ideas all the time from other books - not necessarily fantasy either but increasingly I read less fantasy deliberately because I never want to worry that I am stealing an idea. No Myrren simply gave him the Gift. That’s an interesting question about Myrren i.e. whether she possessed The Quickening. No, I don’t believe she did or we’d have lost Wyl entirely to the story. So she simply was the caretaker of the magic itself and could call up the spell that could curse someone with it.
The Year 7 workshops were fantastic - thanks for being such eager groups with such a high performance level. I was really impressed.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
and hello Koalaboy….love that you’re reading The Whisperer and enjoying it so much to the point that you can’t put it down….that is what every author wants to hear! Thank you so much. I hope I’ve signed it for you? If not, make sure you say hello when I’ve got a pen handy! What a brilliant group you were today too….you were all so switched on and full of ideas, especially that character we built together. And then your own story beginnings were astonishingly accomplished. It is very reassuring to know that such talent is growing up around us and the next generation of fine writers are coming through. The main thing though is that you all seem to have a love for reading and for escape into books. Thanks again for your kind words and hope the rest of The Whisperer keeps you turning pages furiously.
F
August 12th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Hey Paul
I’ll look forward to meeting you and the rest of the Year 10s on Thursday and especially to answering all of those seven relevant questions. Thanks so much for all the interest.
enjoy the festival in the meantime.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
To all the students who’ve attended my workshops….a huge thank you. You’ve all been thoroughly engaging and good fun. I’m enormously impressed with the pool of talent out there and some of you are already such capable writers, it’s quite unnerving!
Thank you also for the generous and lively introductions that make me blush…I am having a great time at Scotch!
August 13th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Hey fiona,
I really enjoyed the workshop on Tuesday. I am currently reading “The Whisperer” and I am enjoying it immensly. Where did you get the idea for the book from? Also, when did you write your first book? Finally, how do you make up names, as I have trouble making up names? (I’m the guy who wrote the intro about the guy on the mountain =) )
Many thanks, stephen.
August 13th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Hi Fiona.
I think that you worked wonders to show us how to write great starts. The theory of an early hook was well demonstrated and the chance to write your own start was great as well as listening to others’ starts.
Thanks
August 15th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Hi Stephen
Yes, I remember your story beginning. It was powerful stuff! Glad The Whisperer is satisfying you and hope it continues to keep you absorbed in the lives of Griff and Lute. I wrote my first book in the Year 2000 and it was published exactly eight years ago. Making up names is easy!…..take an everyday name - let’s say Trevor. Now see how you can tweak it ever so slightly. How about Trever or Trover, or perhaps even Trevir? Suddenly you have a new name that is just slightly off the norm enough to fit snugly into a fantasy or sf. Try some examples. You’ll be surprised how simple it is but don’t add too many syllables or apostrophes or hyphens. KEEP IT SIMPLE!
August 15th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
And hello to Michael C….thank you for your generous note. I am thrilled to hear that the workshop made a difference and that some of the advice I gave and of course the exercises we played around with has resonated with you. I hope it will help when you’re next settling down to write a short story or a creative piece. It’s always great when the penny drops and a concept makes sense. But you’re such a bright lot it was easy to get you all going on some truly fantastic hooks.
Congratulations to all.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hi Fiona
I’m in year 8 and I loved listening to you and how you gave us tips on how to write a really good story. I intend to read your books immediately. I thought your performance was very interesting, creative and amusing. I will treasure what you have told everyone for a long time.
Hope you can come back to Scotch sometime and talk to us a bit more!
thanks for such a great talk!
Garglegumm
August 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
hi fiona
it was great being able to be in your workshop, it was great how we were able to learn about how you have to hook people into reading your book very early or in the first page of the book.