Blog Posts for Tania Hershman

Like a Kid in A Sweet Shop: Catching Up Part 2

Tania Hershman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:54:22 -0800

I've been having a wonderful two weeks, , rushing around to lit events like a kid in a sweet shop (or me in a sweet shop!), all of it reinforcing that this country is the right place for me right now. I won't make this a very long post (famous last words). So, where have I been? Two weeks ago I flew to Ireland for the Waterford Film Festival awards evening on Nov 8th. I knew my screenplay, which ...

Catching up part 1: competitions

Tania Hershman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:33:39 -0800

I have loads to write about but let me start by saying.. The Bristol Short Story Prize is now officially open - too all writers worldwide! 3000 words maximum - no minimum length, deadline 31st March, seven pounds per story. Prizes: 1st-£500 plus £150 Waterstone’s Gift Card, 2nd -£350 plus £100 Waterstone’s Gift Card, 3rd -£200 plus £100 Waterstone’s Gift Card. Each of the 17 ...

Short Circuit - win a copy of the indispensible guide to the short story!

Tania Hershman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:13:32 -0800

There will be much much more on this over the next few weeks and months, but for right now, head over to Salt's blog to win a copy of Short Circuit - the hot-off-the-press Guide to the Art of the Short Story, edited by my great friend and colleague, the wondrous and extremely hard-working Vanessa Gebbie. Short Circuit includes my essay on flash fiction and I am deeply honoured to be in the ...

Writing and Place: Guest Blog post 3 by Rachel

Tania Hershman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:10:25 -0800

I am delighted that so many writers have thoughts on writing and place that they want to share with me. Writer and blogger Rachel Fenton blogs at Snow Like Thought. Here are Rachel's answers to my questionnaire:TH: Where are you?RF: I'm sitting in my bedroom, with the curtains drawn (all white but for a chest of antique drawers, a bookcase, a 1960s school desk and two of my paintings), in a ...

Writing and Place: My Guest Blog

Tania Hershman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:53:57 -0700

So, after having two guest posts here about writing and where you are, and how the two mix, I've finally written my thoughts on how it was to move countries and what that has done to my words, over at Petina Gappah's excellent blog. An extract:So we moved, with our two cats (who are now, sadly and cruelly, in quarantine), two months ago. And that is when the culture shock hit. Yes, I had been ...

Can Writers Learn from the Art World?

Tania Hershman — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:03:37 -0700

I have an interesting topic I'd like to discuss, and would love to know what others think. First, a few words on what I am reading right now. A great blog called Writers Read asked me this a few weeks ago and they have just posted my answer today - and you might be surprised that it's not all short stories, or even fiction! And, to shock you even more, dear blog readers, sometimes.... I just ...

Giving up the day job, winning free books and chocolate

Tania Hershman — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:01:57 -0700

Yes, it may seem as though the title to this blog implies that if you give up your day job, many freebies will come your way, but that's deliberately designed to mislead, just so you'll come and read this post. Sorry! So: just a quick roundup:I was asked by fellow writer and blogger Michelle Teasdale to talk about what it was like to give up my "day job" and become a full time writer, ...

Paying it forward

Tania Hershman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:25:44 -0700

I am toughening up in the chilly English weather - there's me, in a coat, scarf and knee-high boots while around me, students stroll in T-shirts and flip-flops. I feel a bit mad. But... we joined an outdoor swimming pool for the winter!!! I can't quite believe it. It's three minutes walk from our house, and actually, it's very refreshing. The whole set up is a bit posh, the revamped Lido, with ...

10 Reasons/Lame Excuses for Not Writing

Tania Hershman — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:13:26 -0700

I've just moved countries and am unsettled (can milk this one for months and months...) The cats are in quarantine and I can't possibly write without them (another 5 months' shelf life for this excuse) My new study is an unfamiliar place, I can't write here until I feel totally comfortable (Yes, right, I can write in any cafe but not my own workspace?) I've got far too much to do with the Short ...

Small Wonder Festival and Some Small Wonders of My Own

Tania Hershman — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:30:17 -0700

Four days at a short story festival, what a wonderful idea! From Thursday night until Sunday night, at gorgeous Charleston, home of Virginia Woolf's sister Vanessa Bell, writers reading from their stories and talking about stories. And in a large barn, with atmospheric lowing from the cows next door and the soothing hum of milking machines. I came on Thursday night and stayed til Sunday ...