Shianra

Does anyone not love this man's work? I remember being besotted by the likes of charlie and the chocolate factory and fantastic mr fox not too long ago.

So, in a visit to the local library, I happened to pick up a book with his name on it. "The wonderful story of henry sugar and six more."

I read it for something light and snack-like. And yes, ever since I've started "writing" myself I've been paying a hell of a lot more attention to what I read in terms of sentence structure etc etc. So yeah, I was hoping to pick up a few pointers from Dahl.

What I didn't expect was to come across was straight-out advice in there.

Here it is if you're interested too:

1. you should have a lively imagination
2. you should be able to write well. By that I mean you should be able to make a scene come alive in the reader's mind. Not everybody has that ability. It is a gift, you either have it or you don't.
3. You must have stamina. In other words, you must be able to stick to what you are doing and never give up, for hour after hour, day after day, week after week and month after month.
4. You must be a perfectionist. That means you must never be satisfied with what you have written until you have rewritten it again and again, making it as good as you possibly can.
5. You must have strong self-discipline. You are working alone, No one is employing you. No one is around to give you the sack if you don't turn up for work, or to tick you off if you start slacking.
6. It helps a lot if you have a keen sense of humour. This is not essential when writing for grown-ups, but for children, it's vital.
7. You must have some degree of humility. The writer who thinks his work is marvellous is heading for trouble.

was that helpful for anyone? did you appreciate me typing that all up when I type at a speed of around two words a minute??

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Kermie04

Wow, you got all that from one of the best authors alive. That man is incredible. That certainly was helpful. Thank you so much for sharing that. I am going to print this and put in with my writing materials so that I always have this as a reference point.

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Csira

Two words a minute? You've got to be kidding. =P

I remember Roald Dahl's works. I loved to read his books as a child, and I agree with most of what you have written. I suppose the best writers are wholly dedicated to writing because they love what they do. Though from your list it seems I lack some things: stamina and a sense of humor for one. ^^;

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Shianra

okay. I'm not THAT bad, but close to it!
The list is somewhat depressing -- I've only got number one and seven, alas.

But if I can ever write something like mathilda one day I'll be happy as a clam.^^

ps csira-love your avatar. drawing manga is something I do far better then write!

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Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave...

Lara

Roald Dahl died in 1990.

He is one of my favourite authors, he can make stories so magical and full of life. I lost most of his books that I had when I was younger and recently got a new collection of them. I just finished reading "Boy: Tales of Childhood" and "Going Solo". Along with C.S Lewis I would say he is one of the greatest writers of books for younger readers. Have you read any of his other books that are aimed at teenage/ adult audiences, I quite enjoyed "Skin and Other Stories."

Emma LB

I have this book too, the advice he gives in it is great! I also liked reading the bit where he says his English teacher had told him he was really bad. Luckily he ignored his teacher and began to write stories and books anyway.

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Beatrice Boyle

My children adored "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"! As a children's author he was first rate...it's a shame his personal behavior didn't live up to the hype!

He was married for years to a great movie actress of the 60's and 70's...Patricia Neal...an academy award winner. He shot to stardom in the literary world as a result of her popularity. She suffered a debilitaing stroke, rare for a woman of her age, and while recuperating, she discovered he had been carrying on an affair of long standing with her secretary. He left her to cope with her illness all alone. I could never read his work again, nor see the movies that were made from his work.

Just call me Old Fashioned!

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Rhiamon

Oh, my old friend Roald Dahl Thanks for bringing him back to me...
I bought every single children's book he ever wrote...that I could find, anyway...back when I was a kid (yeah, ever so long ago). I remember Henry Sugar...I remember this advice too Thanks for posting it!

Csira

Arigatou. Thanks. ^^; Ohh, I would like to see some of your artwork then. I draw sometimes, well mostly for the characters in my story. It is drawn in the anime style though hehe.

~Csira

__________________
Without Hope, there is no existence.

To be wanted, to be accepted
Is that not our heart's desire?

avatar from appassionato