R EAD I N G

All writers have their own particular ways of getting words down - afavourite pen, a special place, even a certain time of day. Five famous writers reveal their secrets.

A Fay Weldon

BRITISH NOVELIST AND SHORT STORY WRITER

I tty to get up early, at about half past six. Ifyou can get two and a half hours' work done before the proper day starts, then you are lucky. I wrote by pen until about four years ago when I realized that the rest of the world used computers. I have regretted the change, because I've noticed the

musdes in my hand have changed. Although I have a brand new laptop, I still prefer to use my old PC.

B Michael Morpurgo

BRITISH CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER

I had problems some years ago sitting at a desk, because I got pains in my wrist and shoulder, so I decided to copy my writing hero Robert Louis Stevenson instead and found his way worked. Now, when I have a story in my head I go to bed with a small notebook, like the one children are given in primary school, and fill it up. I keep my manuscripts in the fridge just incase the house burns down.

c John Mortimer

BRITISH LAWYER, DRAMATIST AND NOVELIST

I live inthe house my father built, and I write ina room that used to be the garage. Now it's converted and full of books and photographs.

I write with a rather soft red pen on the type of notebook lawyers use. Each page is almost exactly 300 words long. I get up at seven or eight and then I write until lunchtime. I don't write after lunch.

D Simon Armitage

BRITISH POET AND NOVELIST

I used to be more nocturnal, but since my daughter was born I tty to keep more traditional hours.

I have an office just outside the house above the garage where I keep my books and my treasures.

I listen to music when I'm writing prose or dialogue and I take my poems around with me. I have no affection whatsoever for my computer, although when it's working we are great friends.

E Marina Lewycka

UKRAINIAN NOVELIST WHO GREW UP IN THE UK

I write inbed, partly because it's the most comfortable and private place and partly because I like to write either at the beginning or the end of the day. It's to do with the business of being

ina separate world; once you engage in the real world, everything in your head disappears. I drink an enormous amount of tea and I work on a laptop propped up on my knees.

E

> Read the article again and match each writer (A-E) to a sentence.

Who...

1 changed their writing habits to fit in with

their family? J2

2 changed their writing habits but has new problems as a result?

3 worries about losing their work?

4 finds they can concentrate better when they are in bed?

5 writes more or less the same amount every day

· Find a word or phrase in each paragraph which means:

1 a portable computer (A)

2 the part of your body where your arm joins your hand (B)

3 changed (into another thing) (C)

4 active at night (D) 5 take part in (E)

Поиск по сайту: