Carol Cook
I want to write and have started many stories and projects but I need motivation so here I am!
Location Cornwall
Activity
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Carol Cook made a comment
Thank you to my readers and to those who allowed me to read their work. Also to the team who put this course together. I hope to keep the writing going both with short and longer fiction. Good luck to all my fellow students!
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Carol Cook made a comment
Thank you to Margaret Coen for my review. I appreciate the suggestion about my main character. I agree more detail would add depth.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Thank you, Keith S for your really kind review. It does make me a little worried that I may have been harsh with my reviews of others. I enjoyed reading all of them and tried to be constructive rather than negative.
I have given 3 reviews. I would quite happily read more. The more we read, the more we learn! -
Carol Cook made a comment
I think my characters are consistent and I hope the interest is there for the reader. My setting of the pub is from a memory of the atmosphere of an actual pub and I found it hard to capture the atmosphere. Music wise, although I didn't state it, the story is set around 1978 so I had to make sure the references I made - the songs and the movie - were...
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Carol Cook made a comment
Ironically, I am currently reading this novel for a book club. It was interesting to go back to the opening pages and read them again. I probably read them too quickly the first time and failed to realise the strength that lies in the words. It beautifully sets the scene in which the main characters find themselves by describing the tragedy of their situation....
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Carol Cook made a comment
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami - (like)
I am finding the characters in this novel very believable. I like the way Murakami gives them all their flaws. All the characters, especially the women, are all well drawn and clearly distinguishable from each other. It's written in the first person so we see it all from the point of view of one character who has his... -
Carol Cook made a comment
I think there are merits in all the methods depending on the story you're writing. I like using conversation so the Sally Bowles method would probably be my favourite. I also think it's important to give your character quirks and foibles that are appropriate to them.
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Carol Cook made a comment
This is really fascinating. Novakovich has a wonderful way of using totally appropriate examples to illustrate his points. Oh to be so widely read! He is totally inspiring.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I have just spent far too long making a questionnaire form for my character! No information - just a form!
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Carol Cook made a comment
I am coming to realise that character is something I really don't develop very well. I don't know my characters well enough. I tend to make them into goodies or baddies and don't work enough on developing a carefully nuanced person.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I wrote about a girl who is clearing out her father's belongings. She prides herself in being unsentimental but starts to become quite moved by the old books she finds and the task brings out the softer side of her nature.
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Carol Cook made a comment
The woman who prides herself on not valuing "stuff" but can't get rid of a particular book/painting/chair/ even though it's falling to bits.
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Carol Cook made a comment
My character is impulsive and acts on instinct. sometimes without thinking what the consequences may be. She has inherited a load of old books. Her dilemma is whether to invest time into going through them all or whether just to chuck them.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I often make a note of the books and authors mentioned during the course so I can read them at some stage but I don't think I could bear this one. "The night torn to ribbons by their grief." Just beautiful and so tragic.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I started writing a story which begins with a train journey. Unfortunately, the route the travellers were taking no longer exists so I needed to research the stops and changes that would have taken place in the early 20th Century.
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Carol Cook made a comment
For me, all the writers have something to commend their methods of researching (or not!) Tim Pears reliance on memory is great if you can be sure it's correct. Photos of the period are a very good idea - they show a lot. Patricia seems to rely a lot on reading which is something I believe to be vital when accuracy is important. Alex Garland appears much more...
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Carol Cook made a comment
Thank you to both my reviewers - both helpful. I have reviewed one story and had another to do but couldn't do it at the time but when I came back, I couldn't find it! I hope it pops up again.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Hilary looked up at the heavy winter clouds which threatened to open on the rush hour crowds thronging the street. Nobody would suspect that inside her voluminous coat was concealed a loaded gun.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I always knew that
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Carol Cook made a comment
The candle flame stretched up until its burning tongue lightly licked the ceiling.
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Carol Cook made a comment
The man - Ronnie! - lives with his mother and has done since his father died. They exist on his mother's pension and the money he makes a living writing for a shady magazine that specialises in stories set in a dark underworld.
He cares nothing for his own image and wears a strange combination of clothing. He rarely smiles. He looks around all the time,... -
I think I used the same guy as my character. It's interesting to see the similarities and differences that we have towards the same person.
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Carol Cook replied to Carol Cook
@ChynnaJago Thank you for commenting on my work.
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Carol Cook replied to Carol Cook
@EllenTatam Thank you for commenting on my work.
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Carol Cook replied to Layla Ahmed
You've described two settings really nicely here. Even the act of having a coffee is stressful in the cafe, providing a lovely contrast with the calming cup in your office.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Three words completed. Success! But then the dog starts barking and wants to come and sit on my lap. Not because he loves me but because this way his view out of the window is much improved. The kitchen table is littered with magazines, catalogues, coffee cups and Ellie’s 18th birthday cards, ready for recycling. This end corner is just mine though, right...
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Carol Cook made a comment
I find morning pages useful and a good way of focusing. I have one book that I use specifically for this and it is by my bed. Usually I pick it up as soon as I wake up and write a couple of pages which is all total rubbish! I rarely go back to it. Like Michele, the writing within the book is full of frustrations and self-doubt, things that have annoyed me and...
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Carol Cook made a comment
Ronnie is sitting in the bus shelter, seemingly engrossed in his newspaper, but furtively glancing to his right. Any passer-by would think he is just a normal passenger taking refuge in the Guardian. Maybe he is a bit on the absent-minded side in his big blue anorak, ill-fitting hat and carelessly selected red scarf. Just a normal guy going somewhere,...
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Carol Cook replied to Angela Garcia
Keep doing that, Angela - it really helps.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Listening to these writers is inspiring - they have all had their own challenges to overcome and writing seems to have been the outlet for all of them in their different ways. Ever since I was a little girl, I've always written. Nothing very spectacular and nothing of note published. I always put it down to lack of time but really it was fear. Writing fiction...
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Carol Cook replied to Pru Claremont
@PruClaremont ... how funny - you're in Cornwall - Me too!
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Carol Cook replied to Pru Claremont
I am also on my second go at starting the course. Good luck with the novel.
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Carol Cook made a comment
The exercise made me smile, especially when I invented the untruths. I was surprised at how many crossings out I made even on a short task like this - I guess I was keen to get it "right"!
I enjoyed reading other people's ideas as well. -
Carol Cook made a comment
Four men have visited me this morning and it isn't even lunchtime yet. They all had their reasons, of course. The first was lost and asked me for directions, the next two arrived together and were here to fix my landline which has been out of order all weekend. The fourth was here to clean my windows - about time! I could barely see out of them and he has...
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Carol Cook made a comment
I started this course about 5 years ago but gave up - no reflection upon the course, more my lack of time and staying power. Now I have the time - not sure about the staying power - but I'm very keen to revisit so that's a good start!
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Carol Cook made a comment
Although I've stopped and started this course, I've very much enjoyed it and have found some extremely useful tips, materials and advice.
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Carol Cook made a comment
A very helpful video. Thanks.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Opportunities to play to others are welcome e.g. visit care homes to perform to the residents. Schools often have concerts and usually welcome children who learn instruments outside of school to join in.
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With younger children I play theory games - eg snap with note duration and pitch. A version of Simon adding a note each time and seeing how many notes they can get in their chain. Isolating problem spots in their pieces. Using different rhythms for scales.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Keeping a diary is a good idea. Warm up with scales and apreggios. Isolate sections that need particular practise - slow them right down and gradually speed up until confident.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Currently I only have a couple of students who I teach informally with agreement with parents who are colleagues or friends. I am hoping to expand the business so the information here is giving me some very useful food for thought. Thank you, everyone.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I have one student who comes to me for singing and piano. She is quiet and has a habit of yawning a lot when we are about to sing. She doesn't do the same during the piano time. I put yawning into the warmups and she is doing it less. I expect it is a confidence problem. I had another child who finds it hard to concentrate (ADHD possibly) on one thing for any...
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Carol Cook made a comment
Warm-ups that are accessible and fun are very helpful for younger students. Positive feedback is very important as you don't want a child to leave a lesson feeling that they are failing.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I agree that studies should be relevant to the piece that is being learned at the time.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I have found this course really refreshing so far. I am planning to use some of the ideas this afternoon.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Wonderful!
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Carol Cook made a comment
This is all very interesting - I am finding myself going off on a tangent and looking things up all the time!
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Carol Cook made a comment
For me this would depend on the pupil and how comfortable they are with notation or aural skills.
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Carol Cook made a comment
This is a great demonstration of how to bring the score to life. I think sometimes one can get far to wrapped up in what's on the page and take it all very literally.
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Carol Cook made a comment
This was a very good idea but I found it hard without seeing the written score.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Sometimes it's necessary to put what you want to do as a teacher to one side in favour of what will work for the pupil.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I really appreciate the reflection notes. Insightful.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Great lesson. Challenging enough for the pupil to learn effectively but not feel overwhelmed.
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Carol Cook made a comment
At the moment I know my students quite well and this helps them to be relaxed. They quite like to have short chats about the music they enjoy and bits and pieces about their lives. They all have their problems and so far parents have been generous with information which is helpful. One parent is not quite as "on board" with the learning but I hope they will...
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Carol Cook made a comment
I found myself nodding in agreement a lot when watching the videos. It made me wonder if there is enough emphasis on creativity in my lessons and this is something I am going to address. Positivity is imperative when dealing with any pupil, whatever the subject, and I aim to give positive feedback along with ideas for improvement without being judgemental. I...
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Carol Cook made a comment
Hi. I'm a teacher living in Cornwall. I have taught piano and singing for some time on and off but it has never been my main income. Due to redundancy I am hoping to build up my student bank and possible venture into Zoom teaching. I'm hoping this course will give me the skills to do this confidently.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Hi, I'm based in Cornwall, England. I've worked in a private school for the last 14 years as a Class Teacher with responsibility for Music and Drama. Unfortunately, my school is closing and I am looking to refresh my practical skills to be able to confidently teach Piano and Singing both in local schools and privately.
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Carol Cook made a comment
I can’t read and I can’t write. All I can do is sit and watch the TV. And even then, it’s not what I want to watch. It is all completely about him - his needs, his wants. When I go out, I go alone. He won’t make any effort at all.
The weekend party - “No thanks, Babe, you go though, they’re your mates really.”
The wedding - “Oh, was I invited? I...
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Carol Cook made a comment
My story was a beginning - it was inspired by hearing the Radio 2 Choir singer of the Years winners!
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Carol Cook made a comment
Emma said she'd known all along that it was going on. She could tell from the way they never looked at each other. The tell-tale sign they had of pretending not to notice the other was in the room, but electric with the knowledge.
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Carol Cook made a comment
The sun kissed the leaves of the trees as the birds sang their chorus of praise.
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Carol Cook made a comment
Getting into any sort of routine at all would be a bonus!
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Carol Cook made a comment
There probably is no "right way" to write. Showing up is the important thing - when and where is entirely personal.
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Carol Cook made a comment
The fact that Orwell doesn't tell us anything else about his character except for the birthmark indicates that the mark is the most important thing to the character. He is totally self-conscious about it. The Heller character is much happier in her own skin, unaware that her appearance is being observed. She appears free with the whispy hair and the floaty...
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Carol Cook made a comment
You could tell he was under pressure. He'd changed. No more the laughing, jolly leader, understanding, eager to help. That boss had been usurped. Now edgy, tense and insecure, he'd called the meeting to tell us what was to happen. Even the secretary was there, to take notes, just in case any of the assembled group misunderstood instructions and requirements....
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Carol Cook made a comment
Writing is something I've always wanted to do. So far, a bit of poetry, a song or two, the odd short story and a wish to write a memoir after seeing a competition - but it felt too personal. I don't want to give that much away so to "fictionalize" puts some distance between myself and the characters. That way, I don't have to tell the truth!! It can be there...
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Carol Cook made a comment
I like the rabbit ring! Why does the woman wear such a distinctive piece of jewellry?
