Ali Shaw – delving into a writer's subconscious with Abingdon Writers

The beauty of the blank page and the magical effect of tapping into your subconscious were two of the main themes at the talk Oxford-based writer, Ali Shaw, gave to Abingdon Writers and guests on March 29 at Abingdon Library.

In a generous and inspiring talk in which he shared his creative processes, Ali Shaw talked about how a single idea can grow into a novel – and how he believes that tapping into the dark, primeval part of his brain has enabled him come up with his fresh and beautiful stories.

‘One of the best things about writing is when you realise that your instincts that were causing you to write what you did were correct and that it is only when it is written that you realise what the books is about,’ he told the audience this week.

Ali Shaw’s first book ‘The Girl with Glass Feet’ was a popular and critical success, an original blend of beautiful, atmospheric writing, a fairy tale theme, and a love story. It was shortlisted for no less than three major awards for debut novels and won the Desmond Elliot prize.

It is a story, he says, about how you have to wring what you can out of life, but he didn’t realise this until it was finished, as he starts with an idea and builds from that, rather than trying to write to a theme.

He wrote his first novel while working full time and says he thinks trying to fit his writing in around this probably helped allow his subconscious take over. He often wrote when he was very tired – either late at night when he kept himself going with a glass of whisky, or he woke around 4am when he needed lots of coffee.

‘A time when you have forced yourself out of bed and are exhausted is actually a good time for writing. But I suppose you have to be honest about why you are doing it. Most people who write will do it whatever, because there are easier ways to make a living. But while people do feel compelled to do it, interesting books will continue to be written. I just tried to write the kind of book I would like to read. I just sort of plunged in and hoped.’

Ali Shaw has recently published his second novel ‘The Man who Rained’ about a boy who has been exiled from his small remote town, people by superstitious folk who believe he is the embodiment of a thunderstorm (Ali also said he had delivered his third novel to his agent that day, so we are now looking forward to that one!)

The idea for this story came from realising that many of us living in centrally-heated homes can find it difficult to understand how unstoppable and powerful the weather really is.

Writing the second was a different experience as not only was there already expectation from his first novel, he didn’t have to show his first to anyone until it was at a much further stage towards completion.

Yet he says he feels really lucky to have been published at all ‘You’ve just got to keep sending your stuff off because chance is against you.'

Local writing group, Abingdon Writers, had invited Ali to their group and had opened up the meeting to those who wanted to hear Ali's talk as part of Abingdon Arts Festival. Several members of the group spoke about how important they have found belonging to a writing group and encouraged other writers aspiring to be published themselves, to join.

Ali Shaw said one of the best things about writing groups was the fact that it encourages you to keep going.

Abingdon Writers was founded three years ago is actively seeking new members and meets two evenings a month in central Abingdon to share critique, support and marketing ideas.

Many thanks to Abingdon Writers, Ali Shaw and Abingdon Library for helping make such an interesting event as part of the town's arts festival.

I don't want to join a writing group

(Ahead of next week's event with Ali Shaw, we've invited Gabby Aquilina of local writing group Abingdon Writers, to give a bit of background to the group, and the event with Ali which takes place in Abingdon Library next week. Take it away Gabby...)


Hi Mostly Book Lovers!

I’m scooching on over to the Mostly Books blog from my normal corner of the blogosphere (thanks for having me Nicki and Mark!) to tell you all about writing groups. Because, you know, writing groups are the new stitch ‘n’ bitch for people hankering for a new creative outlet which comes with a support group…

I feel fairly qualified to talk about this because way back in the middle of 2009, I formed Abingdon Writers with two lovely people I met at a Mostly Books / Oxford Writing Group event (hurrah for Mostly Books and their wonderful events schedule!) – Liah Thorley and Anna Jones.

Although the OWG had no room for new members themselves, the panel encouraged the audience to create their own group and so Abingdon Writers was born! The three of us soon grew to five and then eight; ten quickly became fourteen and we decided to cap membership when we reached eighteen and start a waiting list! Who knew there was all this writing talent just loitering around Abingdon, scribbling (well, typing) away quietly in recesses under stairs or bundled up in five layers of clothing in garden sheds.

We were surprised and delighted at the amount of interest in our group and, although we have had several people come to trial meetings over the last three years never to return, most of us have remained. Fearless, super-confident writers? Not nearly, although perhaps I speak just for myself here - quivering, insecure shadows of non-writerly people, more likely. Oddbodies who enjoy their work being dissected and mauled over by their peers? Possibly, although ‘enjoy’ might be the wrong emotion to convey here.

Now, I mentioned support groups in my first paragraph and here I am talking about ‘peer reviews’ being brutal and sort of vicious. They’re not, it just sounds much more dramatic that way. Constructive criticism is the reason why Liah, Anna and myself wanted to set up the group. That and support – encouraging and motivating your fellow aspiring writer friends is SO important. Finding out what real people (anyone who isn’t family or your BFF) think of your masterpiece can be a revelation and a huge confidence boost but it’s the shared experiences of trying to get that first chapter perfect or writing that darned query letter that makes you glad you have writer friends to help you get them right.

Admittedly, there have been times when I have read at a meeting and felt completely disheartened by the feedback. At first. After a day to stew over certain comments or, eek, facial expressions, you realise that actually, the group were right. That paragraph does require tweaking, more description is needed to ground the location and those two sentences about your florist-owning, yoga devotee waif of a heroine ranting about middle-lane drivers are, perhaps, a little bit jarring.

What I am trying to say (this would never do for a synopsis) is that Abingdon Writers has given me the confidence and encouragement to actually GET MY NOVEL OUT THERE. Without the AW members, my manuscript would probably have been languishing under a pile of two year old magazines until I dragged it out to use as scrap paper for my daughter to scribble on or kill flies with.

So, with one manuscript out there being ‘properly’ mauled over by agents, I have another one on the go. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be on the bookshelves of Mostly Books – a local author done good.

Just like Ali Shaw – author of the Desmond Elliot 2010 winning, ‘The Girl With Glass Feet’ (also shortlisted for a whole bunch of awards including the Costa First Novel Award) and the recently published, ‘The Man Who Rained.’

Incidentally (!), Abingdon Writers is hosting an evening with Ali Shaw on Thursday 29th March at 7.30pm in Abingdon Library. Tickets (£4 with £3 redeemable against a purchase on the night) are still available from Mostly Books and can also be bought on the door at the event.

Now, I know Nicki has already reviewed ‘The Man Who Rained’ and pointed you in the direction of the wonderful Gaskella for another review but let me just add my two cents here:

Both Ali Shaw’s books are lyrically written, beautifully imagined fairy tales. The imagery and ideas that he comes up with are original and spellbinding. Sunbeams that turn into canaries? Aren’t you just smiling at that idea, picturing it in your head?

If you are, then you should come and meet Ali and the Abingdon Writers next Thursday! Chat with us, get a book or two signed and have a glass of wine. Perhaps you’ll even decide that a writing group is just what you need to help you get motivated and put your name down to join us. We’ll be gentle. Ish.

The Man Who Rained with Ali Shaw

Oxford-based author Ali Shaw will be joining Abingdon Writers for an evening discussing his second novel ‘The Man Who Rained’. His first, ‘The Girl with Glass Feet’, was one of 2010's most critically acclaimed debuts, being shortlisted for the Costa First Book Award and winning the Desmond Elliot Prize.

The evening is presented by Abingdon Writers, a fun, social group of local writers who will also be sharing their own experiences and writing successes.

The event takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday March 29 at Abingdon Library. Tickets are £4 and available from Mostly Books or from Abingdon Library.

Writing is alive and well in Abingdon library

Abingdon still has its library – pretty good news by itself after the recent announcement of cuts. But Abingdon Library also recently re-opened after a refurb that has made the downstairs more open and made it easier to browse books.

One of the benefits has been the creation of a cosy new reading space and is a great place for community meetings – and this was taken advantage of by local writers on Tuesday May 17.

From life writing, through romantic fiction, travel writing and how to make money from generating web content – all was brought up for sharing as an amazing array of writers for all genres were represented.

The morning discussion was led by Abingdon Writers, and joined by two other writing groups, as well as individual writers, for a wide-ranging conversation demonstrating just what a lively writing scene is alive and well in Abingdon

Five members of Abingdon Writers gave a talk about how their writing group evolved out of a meeting of like-minds at an Oxford writers event at Mostly Books two years ago.

Now the group is 18 strong, with a waiting list and meets twice-monthly for shared critique, support and market information. The group shared some of their passions for particular writing genres, discussed the benefits of sharing and critiquing and how to get inspiration, before questions were taken from the floor.

The questions were about everything from organising your work to organising your time and there was a quick-fire swap of advice from all the writers present.

With all the bad news about libraries, it is certainly something to be celebrated that our own library is not only secure, but reaching out and finding new ways to generate enthusiasm and celebrate the joys of both reading and writing.

Thanks very much to Lynne Moores at the library and Mary Cavanagh from Abingdon Writers for organising and hosting such a great and well-attended event.