Wednesday 5 March 2014

Post-its and Publication by Johanna Grassick

I attend writing courses for two reasons: because they’re an opportunity to get feedback on my work, and because they always give my writing a boost, generating ideas and inspiration. In those respects, this year’s Advanced Romance Writing course with Kate Walker was no exception, but what was different this time was that almost all the group had attended last year. This meant we knew each other (always good in the bar!) and Kate knew us, so she was able to tailor the course specifically to our needs.


Post-it plotting!
This year in Fishguard we did a lot of work on character and how these can really drive the story. We examined the core emotions in our stories and used coloured post-its to make it visual (there was much excitement over the post-its, which Kate generously provided!)

We also discussed our opening chapters, both in one-to-one sessions with Kate and in a group discussion (fuelled by wine – well it was Saturday night!). I found this feedback invaluable, especially as the chapter I brought is a new genre for me: I’ve moved from writing category romance to a relationship novel, and with new territory comes uncertainty.

And there were special celebrations this year because one of the group, Rachael Thomas, has sold her first book to Harlequin Mills & Boon. Kate Walker has seen many of her pupils ‘graduate’ to be published authors, so she knows what she’s talking about when she advises to; “Write the story you really want to tell. Don’t imitate, don’t be afraid – write from the heart.”

So that’s what I’ll be doing – perhaps with the aid of a post-it or two!


Johanna Grassick
Kate is running several more courses this year. Details are on her website:
Writers Holidays run the weekend in Fishguard as well as other courses: http://writersholiday.net/

9 comments:

  1. Great post Jo! I confess to going out and buying all sorts of shapes and colours of post-it notes! Good luck with you new story. X

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  2. Thanks Rachael. It was a great weekend & lovely to see you.x

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    1. Yes Liz - and pencils and notebooks and cards...

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  4. thanks for a great write-up, Johanna. I'm so pleased you found the post-its session helpful. I've been out replenishing my stock , ready for the next course - and some new pencils. I'm keeping my eyes open for any more styles/designs I can find. Hope to see you at another course sometime soon.

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    1. I must confess I have quite an array of post-its including some tiny ones which are very useful! Thanks for a great weekend Kate.

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  5. Hi Johanna, I'm new to blogging (and post-its notes, I have to confess) but just wanted to write and say I share wholeheartedly your reasons to attend writing courses :) Meeting up with other writers - those I already know and new participants - always inspires me and makes me look deeper into my own work, often with newly opened eyes! The feedback sessions in Fishguard were so valuable and the whole weekend was fun as well as work. I'm looking forward to next year already!

    Good luck with your new story!

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  6. Hi Jo. It was great to see you again in Fishguard. Love your post. You summed up Fishguard beautifully. Hopefully see you at the RNA conference. X

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    1. Hi Kate and Sarah. Hope to see you both again soon.x

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