There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories…Ursula K. LeGuin

Where do we find stories?

Most people would probably say: In a book!  However, if you look a little harder you will find stories take many forms.   Start by thinking about all the different names we have to describe ‘stories’, such as: tale, legend, myth, novel, short story, ballad, verse, poem, song, lyrics, film, art, script…

Story telling is an ancient art…

In ancient times, stories were passed along without being written down.  This is generally referred to as ‘oral tradition’.  Elders retold stories to younger generations, who learned the stories by heart so they could pass them on to their children and grandchildren.  It can be a little bit like ‘Chinese Whispers’, and after many hundreds or thousands of years, numerous versions of the same story may appear.

Writing Spot

In a group think of a great story starter (for example:

It was a dark and stormy night… 

• Once everyone has written this down, set a time limit (2 minutes usually works well) and have everyone in the group continue the story.  
• When the time is up, pass each story on to the next person. 
• Give everyone a chance to read the new story in front of them before starting the timer again. 
• Everyone must continue writing on the NEW story in front of them. 
• Once you have swapped stories 4 or 5 times, it is time to read them aloud.

You can vary this activity by folding paper over so people may only see the last line of the previous story.  Alternatively you could play this using an online messenger –somebody starts the story and passes it on to be continued…you could print it out at the end to share.

About the David Evans Awards for Fiction

The David Evans Awards for Fiction are open to all residents of the Scenic Rim Region.  Entries may take the form of a POEM or SHORT STORY.  Although we want you to be as creative as you possibly can, your poem or story must address the festival theme.

This year’s theme is: IMPRINTS…yours…mine…ours.

Categories for entry 

Prizes and Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony will be held at:

Wiss Emporium, Kalbar on Wednesday September 10th, 2008

and will include entertainment and a mini book fair with local authors. Special guests include percussive poet Ross Clark, recent national winner of the Australian Book Review Poem of the Year, and Estelle Pinney, who together with husband Peter wrote Too Many Spears, the dramatic story of Australia’s turbulent northern frontier.

• There are cash prizes for winners in all age categories.
• Highly Commended finalists will receive a book provided by RLB Drafting Services.
• Winners will be published on the Boonah Arts Collective website, www.artsboonah.com

More information?

• Judges will be looking for 
  Originality of work and interpretation of theme
  Experimentation with form and style
  Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
 Multiple entries will be accepted.
 Entrants must be residents of the Scenic Rim region.
 Entrants must not be already signed with a publishing company.
 The work of fiction must address the festival theme of IMPRINTS … Yours … Mine … Ours … in an imaginative way, be an original work, written in English, and must not have been previously published or accepted for publication, or be under offer to any publisher.
 The manuscript must be typewritten and formatted in a clear legible font. Submissions will not be returned; authors should send two (2) copies and retain a copy.
 All entries should be clearly identified only by their title. The entrant’s name must not appear on any page. No work of fiction will be forwarded to a judge if that entry is marked with the name of the entrant.
 Entrants are invited to provide biographical details to a limit of fifty words.
 Entries, including works of fiction must be received by 15 August 2008.
 Winning entries will be published on www.artsboonah.com

The Boonah Arts Collective Inc reserves the right to quote extracts from the work of fiction, but not to exceed fair dealing as defined in the Copyright Act, for the purpose of promoting the competition.

EVENT COORDINATOR: Renee Mason, phone 0437 923 661 or email renee.mason@yahoo.co.uk

You are now entering the Writers Circle…

Why are we here?

This blog has been established to provide encouragement and support for young people considering writing an entry for the David Evans Awards for Fiction, run by the Boonah Arts Collective.

What is it all about?

The people behind this blog are experienced educators and writers.  We are keen to help young locals with an interest in literary arts (storytelling, novels, poetry, songwriting, scriptwriting, travel tales, memoirs, illustrated stories…and much more!) to develop their skills.

We are also here to support young people interested in entering the David Evans Awards for Fiction held (part of the annual Boonah SPAR Arts Festival).

How does the blog work?

We will update the blog at least once a week with ideas, inspiration and activities to improve your writing skills, information on how to tackle the competition theme, as well as tips on editing and fine tuning your work.  We will even provide advice and guidance on your own writing!

The blog will also give you the chance to interact with other aspiring writers and poets, as well as published authors, professional writers and educators, and previous David Evans Awards for Fiction winners and entrants.

How do I get involved?

• reading the information and advice that appears in the blog each week
• working through the writing activities at the end of each blog
• commenting on the blog or on comments left by others after the blog
• submitting examples of your writing for others to provide encouragement and advice

• writing, writing, writing…

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