{"id":54,"date":"2017-03-22T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.shortstorydayafrica.org\/?p=54"},"modified":"2017-03-22T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-03-22T06:00:00","slug":"writetips-the-2016-short-story-day-africa-prize-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/?p=54","title":{"rendered":"#WriteTips: The 2016 Short Story Day Africa Prize Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"sqs-html-content\">\n<h3 class=\"text-align-center\">Here are some writing tips from three of writers who stories stole the show in the collection.&nbsp;<em>Migrations <\/em>is available now in all good bookstores in South Africa. They will be happy to order it for you if they don&#8217;t have it on the shelves. It will be published in the US and UK in September, and will be available as an eBook in all African territories in April.<\/h3>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div\n        class=\"\n          image-block-outer-wrapper\n          layout-caption-below\n          design-layout-inline\n          \n          \n          \n        \"\n        data-test=\"image-block-inline-outer-wrapper\"\n    ><\/p>\n<figure\n            class=\"\n              sqs-block-image-figure\n              intrinsic\n            \"\n            style=\"max-width:2500px;\"\n        ><\/p>\n<div\n              \n              \n              class=\"image-block-wrapper\"\n              data-animation-role=\"image\"\n              \n  data-animation-override\n\n          ><\/p>\n<div class=\"sqs-image-shape-container-element\n              \n          \n        \n              has-aspect-ratio\n            \" style=\"\n                position: relative;\n                \n                  padding-bottom:150%;\n                \n                overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);\n              \"\n              ><\/p>\n<p>                <img loading=\"lazy\" data-stretch=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg\" data-image=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg\" data-image-dimensions=\"2500x3750\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"\" data-load=\"false\" elementtiming=\"system-image-block\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg\" width=\"2500\" height=\"3750\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw\" style=\"display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%\" onload=\"this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490122987767-6EKYJ0Q02UZI55CXTQVE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-loader=\"sqs\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<div class=\"sqs-html-content\">\n<h3><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/news\/i-have-an-ungovernable-imagination-that-shocks-me-an-interview-with-sibongile-fisher?rq=sibongile\"><strong>Sibongile Fisher<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Well, I wouldn\u2019t call them writing tips (I\u2019m no expert) but these things sure work for me:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Write. Get over the blank page and write<\/li>\n<li>Before you write, read something<\/li>\n<li>After writing, edit at least three times (here take your time. Your feelings might change about certain parts of your story)<\/li>\n<li>Have someone go through your work and give you honest feedback<\/li>\n<li>Proofread, it is important.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-align-center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/news\/-i-would-hate-to-tell-the-same-story-twice-an-interview-with-tj-benson?rq=tj\">TJ Benson<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div\n        class=\"\n          image-block-outer-wrapper\n          layout-caption-below\n          design-layout-inline\n          \n          \n          \n        \"\n        data-test=\"image-block-inline-outer-wrapper\"\n    ><\/p>\n<figure\n            class=\"\n              sqs-block-image-figure\n              intrinsic\n            \"\n            style=\"max-width:671px;\"\n        ><\/p>\n<div\n              \n              \n              class=\"image-block-wrapper\"\n              data-animation-role=\"image\"\n              \n  data-animation-override\n\n          ><\/p>\n<div class=\"sqs-image-shape-container-element\n              \n          \n        \n              has-aspect-ratio\n            \" style=\"\n                position: relative;\n                \n                  padding-bottom:100%;\n                \n                overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);\n              \"\n              ><\/p>\n<p>                <img loading=\"lazy\" data-stretch=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg\" data-image=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg\" data-image-dimensions=\"671x671\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"\" data-load=\"false\" elementtiming=\"system-image-block\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg\" width=\"671\" height=\"671\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw\" style=\"display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%\" onload=\"this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123200053-YKLPM47COXKLCIDF0AXE\/image-asset.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-loader=\"sqs\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<div class=\"sqs-html-content\">\n<ol dir=\"ltr\">\n<li>Embrace doubt. It is a good thing to feel too small for a work at first. If you are able to conquer it you will be rewarded with a feeling of victory bigger than any prize or acknowledgement. You will know in your heart that you are a true artist.<\/li>\n<li>If your work does is not interesting enough for you it won\u2019t be interesting enough for readers.<\/li>\n<li>To help your work soar over any rejection hurdles and remain re-readable be merciless with tired sentences and clich\u00e9s. Always seek to invent or pick on a unique way of seeing things.<\/li>\n<li>Mean every sentence. Mean every omission<\/li>\n<li>Listen to how people actually talk to sharpen your dialogue writing skills.&nbsp;I chase after my little cousins with my jotter and pen to capture their thought process.<\/li>\n<li>Always write. In your head. On the bus. Before you go out to start the day. When you wake up from a nightmare. When you are angry with a friend. When you feel guilty in the throes of a moment because you know you will eventually write it. Rehearsal is one sure formula for success.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-align-center\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/news\/26hiu46ui2g3b882prmg35d5tyx69f?rq=megan\">Megan Ross<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div\n        class=\"\n          image-block-outer-wrapper\n          layout-caption-below\n          design-layout-inline\n          \n          \n          \n        \"\n        data-test=\"image-block-inline-outer-wrapper\"\n    ><\/p>\n<figure\n            class=\"\n              sqs-block-image-figure\n              intrinsic\n            \"\n            style=\"max-width:714px;\"\n        ><\/p>\n<div\n              \n              \n              class=\"image-block-wrapper\"\n              data-animation-role=\"image\"\n              \n  data-animation-override\n\n          ><\/p>\n<div class=\"sqs-image-shape-container-element\n              \n          \n        \n              has-aspect-ratio\n            \" style=\"\n                position: relative;\n                \n                  padding-bottom:104.9019546508789%;\n                \n                overflow: hidden;-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);\n              \"\n              ><\/p>\n<p>                <img loading=\"lazy\" data-stretch=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg\" data-image=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg\" data-image-dimensions=\"714x749\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"\" data-load=\"false\" elementtiming=\"system-image-block\" src=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg\" width=\"714\" height=\"749\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw\" style=\"display:block;object-fit: cover; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-position: 50% 50%\" onload=\"this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg?format=100w 100w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg?format=300w 300w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg?format=500w 500w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg?format=750w 750w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w 1000w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg?format=1500w 1500w, https:\/\/images.squarespace-cdn.com\/content\/v1\/547202f4e4b022d59e05381d\/1490123277563-CZETAKZQYSU8CX30ZPG1\/image-asset.jpeg?format=2500w 2500w\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-loader=\"sqs\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<div class=\"sqs-html-content\">\n<p>Write. Build a body of work. Submit to as many publications as possible, enter competitions, and work with the feedback and criticism you are given. It doesn\u2019t happen overnight but if you are writing consistently, even for an hour or half an hour before bedtime, or before you get up in the morning, you will hone your craft and start to see some motion. Also, make the time to write. People constantly complain about not having the time to write but something has to give; you have to sacrifice somewhere. Friday nights, Saturday mornings, an hour before work, two hours after dinner.<\/p>\n<p>Watch interesting films, listen to music, listen to people!, walk as far as you possibly can \u2013 if it\u2019s safe, explore your surrounds by foot if you can\u2019t afford to travel. Moving the body is as important as focusing the mind.<\/p>\n<p>And, most importantly, read. Read as much and as widely as you can. Read authors that you don\u2019t like, that you do like; follow writers on social media. As much as you possibly can, squeeze reading time into your days and nights. And when you read, you will invariably want to write, so have a notebook and pen ready.<\/p>\n<p>Oh and another thing: always carry a notebook and pen. Record every idea, no matter how small. It could work itself into a bestseller someday. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here are some writing tips from three of writers who stories stole the show in the collection.&nbsp;Migrations is available now in all good bookstores in South Africa. They will be happy to order it for you if they don&#8217;t have it on the shelves. It will be published in the US and UK in September, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,58,52],"tags":[57,55,47,56,66,32,53,9],"class_list":["post-54","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ssda-prize","category-write-tips","category-writer-wednesday","tag-migrations","tag-southafricanwriter","tag-writerwednesday","tag-writetips","tag-2016-short-story-day-africa-prize","tag-nigerian-writer","tag-south-african-writer","tag-ssdaprize","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shortstorydayafrica.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}