New Year: Fresh Start (and £10 up for grabs)

Firstly, apologies for the late start to the WORDVOODOO New Year. Most workshoppers will know something of my poor health of late; moderators might just be pleased to be eased in gently; and all of you, I expect, will be relieved that with a new term comes a new focus: out with the poetry and in with the prose!

However, before I go any further, I need to state an important fact: much of the best prose is, in itself, poetic, and it would be a sad mistake for you to ditch all you learnt last term in writing fiction this term, as many of the techniques (even rhyme and meter) can sometimes be applied to prose too.

After the introductory task, this term will work through a number of different genres, with each task challenging you to embrace another genre but to do so with panache, flair and originality. Every submission should be between 200-300 words (any shorter and you will not be able to develop your skills to the full; any longer and not only will it become harder to moderate, but you will also be in danger of waffling).

But first the introductory task...

I shall email you all a .zip file which contains 10 OPENINGS to different novels. Unzip the file (let me know if you need guidance on how to do this) and read the openings carefully several times. Then your Task 34 consists of two parts:

1. Decide which opening you like the most and regard to be the most effective. Once you have done so, in one paragraph (approx 100 words) explain/justify precisely why you have made that choice. This part of the task is VERY important, as it sets the perameters for the second part.
   
2. Now you must write your own OPENING to a novel. This should consist of 200-300 words which could begin your own piece of fiction. Your moderators, as well as discussing with you your choice for Part (1), will assess your own opening according to a) how well it meets your own criteria identified in Part (1); and b) how effective an opening it is according to their own opinion. As usual, they will comment on the main strengths and areas for development in your piece of writing.

The deadline for your submissions (which must be LABELLED, and must also have a TITLE of your own choosing) is midnight on Saturday 24th January. In my absence from school, Mrs Ali and Ms Stavrinou will be nagging and cajoling ALL of you whenever they see you to make sure you ALL meet the deadline WITHOUT fail.

Lastly, with the predictably chaotic and busy end to the Winter Term, if any of you feel you would like more moderation of your Task 33 attempt, please just drop me an email and I will endeavour to give you more feedback as soon as I can.

In the meantime, good luck! I am really looking forward to reading your submissions, as I know the moderators will be too.

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N.B. ADDITIONAL, 'OPTIONAL' TASK:

If you want the chance to win a £10 book token, you may also email me the following list (do NOT post it on the blog):

• Identify each of the novels from which each of the 10 openings is taken, together with their respective authors, in order of how effective you think the opening is (from the best down to the worst).