Theory on Thursday with Fiona Palmer

My second fabulous Theory on Thursday guest is the absolutely delightful (yes, I know her and can account for this) Fiona Palmer. In fact, she's so nice, no one can hate her for getting her FIRST ever book published to the FIRST publisher she subbed too! Well, okay, I give you permission to hate her just a tincy little bit.

JUST JOKING!!

Now, without further ado, I'll hand over to the lovely Fiona Palmer, author of gorgeous rural fiction, The Family Farm and Heart of Gold published by Penguin!

My one and only craft book – Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver.

I was up to my neck writing my third book thinking I was getting better at this writing caper…but no, I was not as good as I hoped. I think you are always learning the craft of writing…especially for me as it takes me a long time to learn and remember things. But my publisher told me about this great book that I should read, and she’d wished she’d read it ten years ago. So straight away I ordered Immediate Fiction.

He wrote it in such a way I could easily follow and had many ‘light bulb’ moments. I must admit I hate reading books with information in them, anything that gets too technical, I switch off. Many of the times I’ll be reading a page and realise I didn’t take any of it in. But Jerry writes like a novel, he sucks me in and I’m nodding my head agreeing with him. I didn’t find it hard at all once I started.

He gives great examples, which for someone like me is very important. I need to see how it’s done and not just be told about it. (the whole in one ear out the other)

He goes on to say how important conflict is and not to avoid it. The amount of times I’ve glossed over a scene instead of having the characters ask each other the ‘harder’ questions we’ve been dying to hear, is a lot really. And it’s not until it’s pointed out do I see that they are the bits the reader wants to see.

He talks about Want, Obstacle, Action and Resolution. They are the dramatic movement and he goes into detail about each one so you really understand.

Also -It’s the thought that counts! The mind leads the body – When you feel emotions your body doesn’t react alone, your thoughts happen first. He has great pages on this with wonderful examples. Real in depth details on emotion.

Jerry also covers Point of View, rewriting, self editing. And stage/screen and marketing towards the end of the book (which I didn’t get too). But the rest of the book was well worth the read. I have markers and dog ears on all the great pages so I can go back and reinforce what I’d learned from him. I recommend this book to all my friends. J

Thanks so much for stopping by Fiona!! This book is currently on order for me from Booktopia and I'm expecting it any day. Can't wait.

Has anyone else read Immediate Fiction? Did it grip you as much as Fiona?

Check out Fiona's latest book Heart of Gold.

CJ Wishart is a hardworking country girl with a heart of gold but a life that can be tough. Her job as a wool classer is back-breaking, her family life is a disaster and, after a string of dating debacles, she's put men in the too-hard basket.

When strong, handsome Lindsay arrives on the scene as their new shearer, CJ can't help but take notice. They have an undeniable spark, but can she handle the complications and potential heartbreak of falling in love?

With help from her friend and an endearing old farmer, CJ learns that when you stay true to yourself and open your heart, anything is possible.

Set in the colourful world of the shearing sheds, this is a lively and uniquely Australian story of love overcoming adversity.