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The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Kay Dunbar obituary
My wife, Kay Dunbar, who has died aged 78, was a literature festival director and co-owner, with me, of Ways With Words, which organised and ran festivals across the UK from 1992 to 2022, as well as creative writing holidays in Italy, France and Devon, our home county. Kay had moved to Devon in 1986 to help set up a primary school at Dartington Hall. In 1991, seeing an opportunity to create a festival of literature at the historic house and estate, she began organising the first Ways With Words. Initially sponsored by the Observer, with the former editor David Astor as president, the festival launched in the summer of 1992 as an eight-day event of talks, readings and workshops, with speakers including Anthony Burgess, Andrew Motion, Fiona MacCarthy and Peter Ackroyd, and accommodation offered in the buildings and grounds of Dartington Hall. Ways With Words grew rapidly, spawning other festivals that we ran together, in Southwold on the Suffolk coast for 27 years from 1994, in Bath (1994-97), York (1997-2000), Bury St Edmunds (1995-2000) and Keswick in Cumbria from 2001. The festivals were marked by their collegiate spirit and the hospitality offered to participating authors. After Astor's death, Roy Hattersley became president of the Dartington festival – which ran for 30 years – and Melvyn Bragg was president of the Words by the Water festival in Keswick. Born in Wigan, Kay was the daughter of Marion (nee Cunliffe), a bookbinder, and Harry Pedder, a bespoke tailor running the family business, and grew up in the town with a close family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended Wigan girls' high school and studied at the Keele University institute of education, where she gained a certificate of education in English and drama. After college she moved with her first husband, Gavin Dunbar, to Suffolk, where both taught at Summerhill, the progressive school founded by AS Neill. They then moved around Hertfordshire and Essex, with Kay teaching in primaries and in the English department of Harlow College. Later, in Bishop's Stortford, Kay had her first child, Chloë, while studying part-time for an MA in language and literature in education at University College London under Harold Rosen and the feminist historian Dale Spender. In 1986, Kay and her family (now also including her son, Hamish) moved to Dartington. Both she and I had been enticed there separately by a small Guardian advertisement seeking teachers to help found Park school, a progressive primary on the Dartington Hall estate, after the closure of Dartington Hall school. There we met, working closely together for three years, and later married in 1994, after her first marriage ended. As Ways With Words took off, Kay gave up her teaching job to concentrate on the festival; Park school continues today and will celebrate its 40th birthday next year. In 2009 Kay was awarded the Benson medal by the Royal Society of Literature and in 2021 made MBE for services to literature. She was diagnosed in 2019 with the terminal neurological condition progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which, together with Covid, led to the demise of Ways With Words in 2023. The Cumbrian festival still continues independently. Kay is survived by me, Chloë and Hamish, and her brother, John.
Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
25 years on, Stephen King's memoir is still the best guide for writers
H ow does one become a better writer? There are online courses, writing retreats, even coaches available, but the obvious solution to most literary-minded people is simply to read a book about it. Forget Creative Writing for Dummies, though, the first port of call has been, for the past 25 years, Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. 'His advice is sharp and practical,' John Grisham raves in the front matter of the new 25th anniversary edition. 'If you dream of writing novels, start with this timeless book.' And King does have the credentials to back up his advice. The 77-year-old has written more than 60 novels. The best known are firmly in the horror genre — such as It, The Shining and Carrie — but he has also delved into crime, sci-fi and fantasy. Many of them have been adapted for the big screen and together they've sold over 350 million copies.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
7 Sneaky Content Writing Techniques That Keep Readers Hooked
When you use the right writing techniques, people will find themselves rolling right through your ... More article. Want to learn some writing techniques that feel a bit like superpowers? Listen up, because I've got a story to share. After I published my article on how to get unstuck by changing your creative environment, my husband wrote me a mildly perplexing email about how I introduced the article's main point. "I liked how you set it up," he said, and then proceeded to quote what I had written: Then came the perplexing part. "It was a cool rhetorical decoy that doubled as a question and a set-up," he added. Say what? Conversational writing techniques are sure to draw attention to your ideas. Say what‽ A rhetorical decoy that doubled as a question? My husband, who spends a lot of time in his head, can be a little abstract, so I had to read what he wrote again. Then, as I read it a third time, understanding dawned. A huge smile broke out on my face. It was like discovering I'd been speaking French fluently without realizing I knew the language. I'd used a technique so naturally that I didn't even recognize its power. "Aww, shucks," I thought, beaming. "Little old me did all that?" Although I can sometimes turn a great phrase, I'm no master of literary devices. I knew that whatever I did, I did it instinctively. I wasn't being clever. I was just being myself. An unendingly curious type, I also wondered if I'd instinctively used other such devices—and what they might be. "Article idea!" I thought. So I uploaded the piece to Gemini, mentioned my husband's "rhetorical decoy" comment, and asked if I'd used any other sneaky-smart techniques without knowing it. Turns out, there were seven. And the best part? As you'll discover in this article, the techniques are surprisingly simple and effective. I'll also show you how to recognize and use them in your own work. Let's dig in. Writing technique 1: Soften with a setup Creating a great setup is a writing technique that draws readers in and keeps them reading. This technique is the rhetorical equivalent of my 'aw shucks' moment. You pose a question or make a comment that sounds humble or self-doubting, but then follow with a real insight. A great example is the very line my husband pointed out: See what I did? It wasn't magic. I just got to the end of the introduction and stopped. I re-read what I had written and thought to myself, 'Okay, so what's the point?' And I decided that's exactly how I'd lay out the point. You can use the soft setup throughout your article, not just in the introduction. Just open any piece of your writing and start to read. When the time feels right (this knowing of when will grow on you), ask yourself, "What thoughts might my readers be having here? What doubts? Concerns? Worries?" Start with a thought that suggests reader uncertainty. Then walk with readers into answers, clarity, the truth. Writing technique 2: Pull a gentle twist Pulling a gentle twist on your readers is a writing technique that helps you guide readers into ... More discovering insights on their own. With this technique, you lead your readers somewhere familiar, then shift just enough to surprise them. You're not trying to fool them—or make them feel like a fool. You're guiding them to a door they didn't know existed. Here's an example from the same article: At this point in the piece, I'm tapping into the idea that most people think being stuck is something internal. Then I pull the twist: I illustrate that by the very definition of the word, being stuck seems to be the result of an external force acting on us. In other words, it's not internal. It's external. It's not what you thought. How to use the gentle twist technique? Start by naming the default belief or assumption. Then challenge it with quiet confidence and without drama. That kind of turn invites readers to rethink—and to want to keep reading. Writing technique 3: Flip the frame Giving readers a new way to frame their thinking is a great keep-them-reading writing technique This trick comes into play right where your piece pivots. You've built up to an idea, and now you rotate the lens so readers see things differently. I used this technique immediately on top of the twist. At this point, I stopped leading up to my argument and plainly stated it: How to flip the frame? Look for a moment where your message changes from what things seem to be to what they actually might be or are. That's your flip. Make it clear, but don't force it. Your words should feel like revelation, not instruction. Writing technique 4: Plant seeds of possibility When readers feel like they're on a journey of discovery rather than being told something, they're ... More more invested in the outcome. Rather than just launching into advice, plant ideas so that readers feel like they're uncovering them on their own. Either that, or walk readers through your thought process so they can discover alongside you. Here's how I did the latter in the stuck piece: See what I did? First, I explored what the word stuck means—and took readers through that exploration. Then I considered how we generally think about being stuck in a creative sense, and what we typically think we need to do to get unstuck. I led readers through that though process. Then I presented my thesis. Bang! To plant seeds of possibility, use words like "could" and "might" and "what if" instead of stating facts directly. Ask questions. Lead readers through the process you went through to discover the insights you're writing about. When readers feel like they're on a journey of discovery rather than being told something, they're more invested in the outcome. Writing technique 5: Repeat, but make it matter Use the writing technique of repetition to set a pace, like a heartbeat. We all know that repetition breeds familiarity. But it's also about rhythm and emphasis. A well-placed repeat builds energy and clarity without you having to yell. Two different examples from my article: This technique is easy enough to spot. To use it yourself, treat repetition like a heartbeat. Don't try to drive a point home, though. The goal is to set a pace. Let the repeats guide readers' attention, especially in moments when emotions are building. Writing technique 6: Clear the clutter with contrast Creating contrast is a writing technique that helps you answer reader questions and address ... More objections. Sometimes the best way to explain what something is to say what it's not. This technique works especially well when readers are swimming in too many possibilities. Here's my example: You can use contrast by stacking up what doesn't belong, then revealing what does. Talk about both "what is" and "what isn't." Use "what works" and "what doesn't." Point to the yin and the yang, the yes and the no. Contrast helps readers focus by eliminating the noise and highlighting what truly matters. Writing technique 7: Write like you talk My favorite writing technique of all? Write like a human. Write like you talk! Honestly, this might be my favorite technique of all. So many pieces try to sound polished or formal, but the best writing often just sounds like you. This one is easy. Write the way you talk. Break a sentence if it feels better that way. Use contractions. Embrace your voice. Readers respond to realness and rhythm. And if writing ever feels difficult, try recording yourself speaking and thinking aloud. Then, you can work from transcripts. Bottom line If you find yourself smiling while reading back what you've written, you've used writing techniques ... More well. Congrats! I realize these tricks aren't fancy or flashy. But they help the writing feel real, alive, and easy to trust. And chances are, you're already using a few without knowing it. How about giving it a try? Pull up a piece you've written recently and read it from the perspective of reader. Ask yourself: Look for those little moments to use these writing techniques because they often do more work than you realize. And if you find yourself smiling a little while reading your piece back? That's a very good sign.
ABC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Mt Isa teen's story published internationally thanks to outback writers' group
When teenager Jasmine Harvey received a WhatsApp message saying she would soon be an internationally published author, she thought it was a scam. "I was midway through my walk and I got a notification, my music paused … it was really just a shock." The 14-year-old from Mount Isa in Queensland's outback was one of 11 winners in an international writing competition where the prize was every writer's dream — to become a published author. "I don't think it has sunk in yet; it's still sort of a fever dream," she said. Jasmine said she has always been an enthusiastic reader but only dabbled in creative writing. So when the Mount Isa Library launched its Young Writers Group last year, she signed up. "I didn't think anyone else would be into writing," Jasmine said. The city's Young Writers Group is a fortnightly workshop for people aged 14 to 21. Facilitator Kaitlin Ryan started the program at the beginning of 2024 after noticing the library was not attracting many teenagers and young adults. "At the start, we didn't think we'd get anyone coming in [for the sessions]," Ms Ryan said. Eighteen months later, up to a dozen young people turn up at every session. Ms Ryan said it had been such a success that another group for even younger writers, aged nine to 12, had been launched. "It gives them a safe space to connect with other young people, to share the same goals and interests," she said. "And it's a skill they can take far into their lives, not just as a hobby." That has been the experience for 14-year-old Rory Jones, who joined the group last year after a friend roped him into it. He said the social aspects of the sessions had benefits beyond developing and honing writing skills. "It's kind of like therapy," Rory said. In a town centred around mining and engineering and sports-based recreational activities, the group has been a much-appreciated creative outlet for Riley Casey. At 18, she is one of the older members of the group. She said she enjoyed mentoring fellow writers in a city where the arts remained "a bit of a niche". "There's not too much out here," Ms Casey said. But as a young and hopeful writer in a remote part of the country, she was unsure what the future held for creative people her age. "I do feel slightly stuck because of the cost-of-living crisis; everything's quite expensive," she said. "How can you make a living as an artist?" Jasmine Harvey credited the support and guidance she received from the writing group with getting her short, dystopian story The Keeper published. "When I started, I wasn't ready to share anything at all that I had written, but then I could slowly share stuff with other people, I could get feedback," she said. The Once Upon In Our Minds competition was founded in 2022 by a fellow writer, 11-year-old Ridhhaan Jaiin. Jasmine, determined to get her work to a wider audience, found the competition while researching opportunities for young writers online. Aspiring writers aged five to 16 from across the globe submit their short stories according to three age categories. The winning works are published in a collection available for purchase online. Jasmine's 2,500-word story features alongside the winning collection of 11 short stories, in the competition's third iteration. Competition organisers said her story stood out for its originality and emotional resonance, securing her a well-deserved spot among the winners. Each day, the teenager eagerly awaits the delivery of a physical copy of her first published work. "I haven't had a copy in my hands yet; it's still sort of surprising," she said.
South China Morning Post
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Write to Win: This season's winner is Cherry Jen Cheuk-yiu from St Paul's Convent School
Do you love a challenge? Don't miss the chance to win great prizes by taking part in our next writing contest! Click here and fill out the online form to apply. The entry question is: What is the most important quality in a teacher? The deadline is 11.59pm on Monday, August 4. We will notify the new contestants chosen on Friday, August 8. This season's winner is … This season's winner is London – whose real name is Cherry Jen Cheuk-yiu – from St Paul's Convent School. After several creative and challenging rounds, this young teenager's reflective and compassionate writing resonated deeply with Young Post readers, capturing their hearts. Cherry Jen Cheuk-yiu attends St Paul's Convent School. Photo: Handout Congratulations to the first and second runners-up: Hong Kong, Valerie Shek from The Independent Schools Foundation Academy, and Berlin, Joylce Huang from Canossa College. Hear from our Write to Win champion: Cherry Jen Cheuk-yiu, 13, from St Paul's Convent School I applied for this competition and Top 10 a few times before but would become bummed out upon finding out I had not been chosen. But one day, I was scrolling on my computer and discovered that a new round of Write to Win was about to begin. I instantly decided it was my chance to shine. I was determined to stand back up, learn from my failures and rebuild my path to becoming a successful writer. I was both on cloud nine and flabbergasted when I found out that I won Write to Win. Although it was not easy to push through each round, with the topics becoming more difficult and abstract every time, the hard work was all worth it. The rounds covered a wide range of topics, from the advice you would give yourself three years ago to what schools will be like in 50 years. I channelled my creativity and tried to think outside the box in every round to make sure my writing could attract readers. The final question, 'Describe a job that doesn't exist today – but will in the next 50 years', impressed me the most. I dived deep immediately when I received the topic, brainstorming different ideas and concepts of a job that could seem relevant in the future. Images continued to pop up in my head. Bingo! I had a brilliant idea. Why not focus on climate conditions that could lessen environmental problems? I ended up writing about a weather manager. There were a few times I wanted to give up as some of the rounds clashed with my exams. However, after recalling all the things my family, friends and teachers did to support me on my journey, I realised I simply could not give up. Instead, I learned how to balance my time between rest and work, and organised my time using a daily schedule. Seeing the benefits I gained, I think the competition is really worth joining. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to those who supported me from start to finish, including my beloved parents, teachers and friends. Moreover, the other competitors motivated me to improve, and the editors at Young Post helped smooth out my clunky writing. All in all, I am very grateful for the experience I have had in this competition. I enjoyed expressing and sharing my thoughts and feelings about each topic. I hope all future competitors will take this opportunity to showcase their talent! We prepared some exciting prizes for our top three contestants: Winner: Kindle, City'super voucher and a YP certificate First runner-up: Instax camera and a YP certificate Second runner-up: City'super voucher and a YP certificate
