Julie Collishaw
Workshop leader in event planning specialising in outdoor events
Location United Kingdom
Achievements
Activity
-
The viewpoint that says working on food production is a poor industry is because of profiteering in the system. Labour tends to move to where the money is so making agricultural jobs paid brings better results.
-
Conservation of the biosphere that supports life is only possible if we start teaching farming to our young people- this methodology is very promising and can work if governments take a long term view of their agricultural policies
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I have moved from Eastern UK to West Wales and notice the very different agricultural practices- the history, weather and landscape is completely different. Both places have developed a reliance on specialty foods- either arable crops like wheat/rapeseed/ brassicas or sheep and dairy farming. There is a lot to be said for efficiency in food processing products...
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Thank you and goodnight- slight bow, flourished with hand gestures- free
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The method I have used is writing as the media is not supported- the why record and analyse what I am doing in the physical context is that I hope to refine my understanding of this tool.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I love the idea of the return to neutral- gear shifts are essential to biomechanics!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I love the I love the idea of the return to neutral because every bit of action has an equal and opposite reaction plus in theatre the spaces in between are just as important as the backward and forward motions- gearing is everything in biomechanics!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Well I get the idea……
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Woops media not supported….
…….. -
Julie Collishaw replied to Julie Collishaw
But I know how to work with this audio
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The video doesn’t work
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
This animation doesn’t work on my iphone ( I don’t have a laptop )
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The play about theatre/ slapstick/ Panto of current times comes to mind presumably the early 20th century had entertainment of that sort which is then formalised as a way of controlling and monitoring performances- was it also a way of teaching and being able to repeat things in a simplified way?
Efficiency of movement and the predictability is of value when... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The imagination is a type of inspiration from experience and therefore using naturalism is logical - biomechanics seem to provide a structure with which to work as an individual body . Concentrate on getting the actors to use their physical form within the space. Measurements for each actor provide a type of practical record to work with.
I think it might be... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Diversity of food sources is a good way to build resilience in all places as it protects against failures
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
After working with the Stanislavski methodology he seems to have gone his own way- clearly a political influence on his work after the Russian revolution came from communism-
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Climate changes in different localities is a big variety of challenge for the community and to be able to decide locally what to do is key
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The matrix had many uses! The placement of characteristics on the grid is interesting and a small change can illustrate the various outputs and possible models
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Great to get feedback that is thought through- I am really grateful to the readers that have taken time to do this
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Difficult for me to review work because I tend to be very positive about the potential of the writing- I don’t want to criticise a work in progress but understand the value of an honest opinion
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The characters are really starting to get a bit more rounded. The setting is a bit wishy washy but I could expand the description easily. I have researched endangered insects and vegan clothing alternatives for these two characters-the voices are coming along but I need to differentiate between them now
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Fabulous voice! Cynical clear headed, observant, sarcastic. A tale of woe with added voyeurism
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I have trouble reviewing my work with reference to another writer as I get very wrapped up in the plot. The advice about general tips can just stifle my flow, but I know the discipline will improve what I do
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I recently read Lincoln in the Bardo which is a good book but rather annoying- I found the description of the characters rather flat with little reference to their own backstory- However the concept is novel and amusing. I ploughed through it because I wanted to know what happened and the depiction of grief and obsession was pushing the story along well.
I... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
A good book leaves a mark
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Good advice
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Learning more about the art of story writing every time I try these assignments!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I can keep this to two characters by using a closed scene where the designer delivers the new shoes to my main character.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I am keeping these prompts in my journal for use in each character development- putting them in to practice requires thought when the character is new
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I tend to concentrate on the characters motivation and their internal dialogue. So portrayal of appearance, habits and speech have to work together to indicate their understanding of the world
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The designer in my story has developed a little bit more with his character becoming more interesting.
He is obsessed with cheeses despite his conviction to live a fully Vegan life.
The fashion industry has previously made things from animal products so this presents a challenge for him.
He makes my other character’s yellow shoes.
He created the materials... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
It builds the picture of the man’s hoped for reunion as a constructive way to introduce his lost love. Most of the action is in his imagination and memories rendering the woman passive
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Firstly this is an awful unrealistic little story-
It sounds autobiographical in the sense that it seems to be drawing on a young man’s sentimental recollections- Novakovich suggested the autobiography as a split personality which can be detected here
The characters are age similar and sex opposite with a strong heterosexual assumption
The psychological... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I like the idea of settling on a description of the characters early on- even tho it might ‘stop the action’ there should be room in the early part of a novel for these portraits
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I can relate to Alex and Louis-characters taking on a life of their own and have no problem finding a conversation with them- this combined with research and construction of an in depth background makes the characters feel real.
The difficult thing would be Tim and Monique’s methodologies-I can’t relate to using his own way of thinking then evoking a... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Lines can stick in my mind from overheard conversations but I am really a visual creator.
Images collected from papers or online are very intriguing- I wrote a book about a refugee from a newspaper cutting as I thought the guy in the photo spoke directly to me. -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The shorter the better! I like the use of headlines as you can imagine all sorts of stories, plus headlines are often misleading which adds to the drama..
-
Point of order- you should never be asked to pay a genuine publisher for a review. Obviously a proof reader should be paid because that is a service to you. Look at the publisher’s submission guidelines - if they are accepting manuscripts it will often just require a synopsis and first chapter.
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Tine S
Once you have done this it is then important to listen to critics that you respect. I agree that first we need to experiment with our own voices to gain confidence. @TineS
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Gurnah expresses suppressing self v utility for a story.
Roberts mentions being rooted in reality v distance.
Roffey uses the advantage of using our background as a setting v territories unfamiliar.
Garland points out that as inexperienced writers we only have limited material v writing about things we wouldn’t do.
I find I can relate to all these points! -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
My main character meets a man on the bus who steals a holdall that had been left on the back seat. As he walks past she hears mewing from the bag. As they get off at the same stop she observes him mistreating the abandoned kittens by dumping them in the canal.
Not a nice guy! -
I find the prospect of describing characters via your perspective fascinating and useful @EilidhInnisTait
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Minor faults:
An entomologist who collects rocks.
A weather forecaster who hates the sun.
A model who owns no mirrors
Major faults:
A gambler who is cashier for a charity shop.
A drug addict married to a nurse.
A sadist given a bag of kittens -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The poems express the emotional response to differences between the cultures of each country.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
We need to spend time analysing our reactions to different cultures and adapt to what we learn
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The battle to obtain personal freedom against a petty rule of law administered by a moribund system.
Taking action without asking permission-v-waiting for directions causes a row after the fact. -
Julie Collishaw replied to Susanna C
There are merits to explore within the conflicts inside a character-they can be pulled apart by the flaw itself and how they express it- plus there is the conflict caused by other people’s flaws interacting with theirs.
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Eilidh Innis Tait
Thank you for this perspective I tend to use these examples of what other people think of other people as character sketches in their own right.@EilidhInnisTait
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I love the idea of flaws being fatal a bit of hubristic justice. The things that trip us up and reflect our own weaknesses back at us. That could create tensions in the story
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Jane Elmor
Don’t worry your contribution will be appreciated and I think reviews of English by someone for whom it is a second language is useful.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The observation of detail from a character under stress is an art which I hope to develop- making these observations useful to the storyline and avoiding the irritation that overblown language or pretentious descriptions bring-
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I realised that I was using my own anxieties as a POV for my narrator when it was pointed out on this course! I have very strong empathy and when I feel strongly about something I can get evangelical….
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
This is a wonderful first person account containing the concerns of a grandmother.
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Diane W
I agree that focusing on our own viewpoint of our deepest fears is very challenging. Unless we are writing an autobiographical piece I think using our own understanding of one or two anxieties/passions can help to create a realistic perspective.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
A strong point of view can be created by concentrating on one or two concerns for each character.
-
I jump right in because characters have a great way of developing themselves. That doesn’t mean they’re going to be of any use in a particular story. The plot is the backbone of a story so without that all these scenes are floating around aimlessly
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I used to keep newspaper cuttings for this purpose- especially regional stories. It is so much easier to collect them now- just trawl through the medias own free feeds. Free inspiration!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
What if the yellow shoes conceal a homing beacon for endangered insects? The collection of rare examples of species might enable conservation
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
She was on the bus because she can’t drive.
She has stolen the dog and is taking it to her house.
She looks that way because it is the uniform that was issued to her by the crooked organisation she works for.
The red bow is a signal for her handler- she will be followed by the contact -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Great course!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I really appreciate the time and thought given to the reviews. I have taken the criticism onboard and will try the amendments suggested
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I prefer to work on one story at once so have chosen three aspects of my story.
People living alone.
The future of work.
Insect extinctions.
As my story is set in the near future I am concentrating on extrapolation from current facts. -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
In each story a level of research is used by the writer. In order to provide the background to each piece the authors have focused on their own methods to create an atmosphere.
Being too close to your work can blind you to the impression you give - so, doing research at least gives your readers a platform of ‘truth’ and shorthand/shortcuts to common facts.... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
The context of each piece of writing is important and research gives an authentic feeling to your story. The approach is different for each topic because they are like separate subjects at school!
-
Agreed . Many notebooks in different areas are of greatest use
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I have lots of stuff to practice with- half baked snatches of something. I get stuck at the point of ‘what happened next?’
I find plotting really difficult but nothing flows without an outline, that’s what I need to practice. -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
These are great tips!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I just wanted one clear image from the POV of the gunholder
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Rain clouds, rush hour, so many people, oblivious.
Hilary concealed the loaded, snub-nosed gun, the only one looking upwards.
Really loved doing this! -
Not for me - my husband has been known to stand behind me and correct punctuation whilst in full flow- so no, not going there….
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I love editing as it makes sense of ideas that first emerged in a fog of words. I don’t mind being ruthless or losing what I thought was a good bit, when you read someone’s novel you don’t remember the exact details- the whole feel of the characters and atmosphere of the places is what sticks.
Unless of course you’ve been told to go and study Ulysses…. -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
My story is developing into a longer tale so I am looking at it as a chapter idea- as such it’s not necessary to put everything in at once.
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Ian Graham
I like the fact that you edited this!@KarenBraseby
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Making up words and using them in odd combinations is fun - following Shakespeare and JK Rowling there.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Character portraits tend to stick in your head when you read good fiction and the best go on to have a life of their own. I like the ones that evoke a whole world when you hear them ; Gimli or Lazarus Long ; Cinderella or Hector
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Thankyou too!
-
The main useful quality required to succeed in new cultures is listening- the willingness to learn about your host country is crucial.
I have always thought of myself as a global citizen but now I know how much effort is required for true understanding.
I really hope I can apply what I’ve learnt in a positive way. -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I am very grateful for the patience shown in this course. It’s so good to be able to see the methods used by those that have gone before.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I like the U shaped waves analogy!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I have found this study very helpful as I can be resistant to change and like to be in full control of the communication between myself and others. Because my communication skills in my own language and community are very strong and have developed over a long business career- that makes me very confident in my own culture.
This can be a weakness in community... -
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Interesting task!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Making progress using playful prompts helps to move the story on. Being stuck is terrible and I will use these ideas.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I like the idea of a road map and use visual timelines to try and contain a story. Methods can adapt for short stories but I like longform writing to get an atmosphere going!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I have a strong character sketch for one person and an observer/narrator but will take time to develop others. I resist detailed plotting because characters can sometimes think for themselves..
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Unexpected ordinary is a wonderful idea for finding ways to express yourself
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I added extra descriptions for my character but in the form of further sentences rather than amendments
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
All details are important for the reader. In order to convey the small moments of each scene ;slowing down our different perspective and viewpoints enables us to evoke it. Setting scenes as a dispassionate narrator for the sake of quality prose!
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Bex J
Oh I like this! Agree deadlines are going to help and even making your own daily to do list helps.
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Alice Mason
A dangerous place to write!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Writer no.1
Trying the new Soya chai with extra cinnamon made a good start to the day. A very loud cackle and the clink of tea cups broke her concentration as she worked her way through the crowded tables. Cafe Percolate was being used by the Peach Road book club. Cheryl sat in the darkest corner with her laptop carefully positioned facing the wall. Her... -
Julie Collishaw replied to Lea Rachel
Oh yes get him a shed- and one for you!
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Raven A.
I relate to this! I have to do my Yoga and meditation before becoming human.
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Hilary Timm
Running with copper trays is a great image! What would you write next?
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Flynn B
If you’re too full of ideas to write linear sentences then I can recommend just drawing/ doodle journals for the odd idea
-
Julie Collishaw replied to Mags Stork
I don’t drink but to Free your mind - is a goal!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
By the bed is a favourite place rather than sat in an office space. I have notebooks everywhere but each has a different theme for ideas and if working on a story/poem sheets of paper or word documents that can be amended- I did have a special velvet scarf which I wore ‘when writing’ but I found that was just too self-conscious!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Thankfully blank pages are a place for fun! Making any marks on a journal page helps me to start and I think visually so include maps, sketches, systems diagrams and even pressed flowers/leaves. Something will arise and then it’s making sense of it all!
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
I watched her as the bus stopped in the remote lane next to the concrete shelter. The rain started as soon as she got out and as we pulled away I thought maybe her weather forecasting app was better than mine. I made a mental note of the village stop. I felt that we would meet again.
-
Julie Collishaw made a comment
Not only physical appearance but it’s movement and expression in the location. Together with the first impression that the characters make on us. This suggests character traits which may or may not turn out to be genuine.
-
This is like a movie script- I can see them
