Friday 9 December 2011

Countdown to Christmas: Writing Coach and Author, Bekki Hill

As well as being an aspiring children’s writer, Bekki Hill is a non-fiction author, Mslexia columnist and creativity and motivation coach, who is the author of Coach Yourself to Writing Success. 




When we asked Bekki what three gifts she’d wish writers to find under their Christmas tree, she said:



1 Earmuffs that filter the voice of unnecessary doubt, because although sometimes the critical voice in our head is telling us the truth that our writing isn’t up to scratch, almost every writer is also highly skilled at throwing a whole heap of unnecessary doubts and insecurities at themselves and their work.

2 A Boot to kick them firmly but gently up the bum when they’re procrastinating - a survey of writers I carried out earlier this year revealed that 98% of respondents procrastinate to avoid writing.
3 A Four Leaf Clover to bring good luck. We all know writing’s a tough game both for published and aspiring writers, being in the right place at the right time can make a huge amount of difference.

 
Bekki's Favourite Children's book? Of course I’ve so may favourite children’s books, for so many different reasons, it’s impossible to chose just one. But out of all my favourites this morning I’m veering towards The Cat in the Hat Comes Back – yep sometimes a sequel is better than the original.

16 comments :

  1. I am desperate for those earmuffs against unnecessary doubt! A terrific list, Bekki! I've been reading your book and it's crammed with nuggets of gold for writers in search of survival. Thank you.

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  2. I'm guessing the boot up the bum will belong to me :-) - at the moment, anyway! And I love the Cat in the Hat Comes Back! Yay for Dr Seuss' special brand of silliness!

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  3. Maybe ear plugs and ear muffs are needed sometimes! And a woolly hat!

    Discover what you need to achieve is a good one, and make more time to write too (in Bekki's book). But I also think I need how to put your writing first, I do tend to do things for others first and write second.

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  4. Doing things for others first is the procrastinator's top skill.

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  5. What a great wish list Bekki!The ear muffs might also block out the sound of a washing machine that needs emptying, etc.!

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  6. Er? Am I the only one procrastinating by reading this? Another great post guys - and Bekki here's to that luck knocking on your door in 2012.

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  7. Wow! That's my wish list too lovely Bekki! I am such a procrastinator and self-doubter. I hear some New Year resolutions coming up.

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  8. A big thumbs-up for Dr Seuss, although (just to be difficult), I would have chosen Oh, The Places You'll Go! Embarrassing to report that I didn't discover his genius until I had kids of my own!

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  9. yay, Bekki! thanks for a wonderful wishlist! Buy Bekki's book!

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  10. Thank you slushpile team for letting me be part of this wonderful series of posts - I'm loving reading everyone's wish lists. Thank you everyone for your lovely comments on my post. And don't feel too embarrassed Nick, I wasn't allowed to read Dr Seuss when I was a child either.

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  11. My favourite is The Sneetches .. .oh but there's also The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, which is for an older reader. Anyways - great choice, Bekki, Seuss was a genius!

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  12. Earmuffs fabulous, even better with motivational tape playing inside.
    Generally I am not a disciplined person but what does get me writing is a good spreadsheet with daily targets.
    I should be wearing an anorak.
    Good luck this year Bekki!

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  13. All useful wishes for illustrators too - thanks Bekki! And for your motivational book too. It's helped me focus after my move.
    And Maureen, Candy's so right about doing things for others being a skilled way to procrastinate. But it helps, doesn't it, when we've misplaced those earmuffs against unnecessary doubt ?

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  14. I want some of those earmuffs, too - especially if they can double as noise-canceling earmuffs.

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  15. Thanks, Bekki. I can feel some New Year's Resolutions coming on, too. We had a great critique group meeting yesterday and wrote down and then discussed our highlights of 2011, things that had helped us/tips for other writers, barriers we'd encountered and our plans for 2012. I for one am feeling really motivated after such a supportive meeting. And doing this was inspired by a conversation you and Addy and I had had ages ago (I think!) so thank you!

    PS Candy beat me to it, The Sneetches is my absolute favourite Dr Seuss book, too (and we've found an old video animation of it too!)

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  16. There's a video animation of the Sneetches? Oh I'd love to see it!

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