The fateful story of becoming the author of books

Ruth Hartley Storytelling, Hamera and Hartley, Writing Process, Zambia4 Comments

No simple way to become a writer It’s never simply a question of sitting down to write a story. First, you need money, food, a room of your own and time alone.  If any writers have all those things without also having paid employment, I haven’t met them yet. You also need to learn your craft, to practise it and […]

Oak Apples, Ink and Writing

Ruth HartleySouthern Africa, Writing Process4 Comments

Walking to the river ‘Look! ‘I said as John and I walked to the river. ‘Oak apples!’ I stopped surprised at myself. ‘How do I know that’s what they are? How did I recognise them?’ I’m not English, I haven’t ever lived in the English countryside and I haven’t spent that many years in Europe. Where did that piece of […]

My Alphabet

Ruth Hartley Storytelling, Children's Stories, Education, Reading, Writing Process4 Comments

ABCD EFG HIJK LMNOP QRS TUV WXYZ A Bright Child who could Read at 5 I couldn’t Pronounce the Sounds I’d never Heard Just because the Desks were Full I was sent up a Grade from Class One To Where the Kids were Big and Bold. But I was much too Young

How to be a published writer in Zambia – or anywhere in the world

Ruth HartleyBook Publishing, Education, Festival, The Shaping of Water, Writing Process, Zambia17 Comments

Writers Circle I want to thank Daniel Sikazwe very much or inviting me to take part with Mubanga Kalimamukwento, the author of The Mourning Bird. in this Writers Circle online forum.  Mubanga and I have published our books in different ways and I’m here to tell you about the decisions I made and why I decided to self-publish. First of […]

Writing and winning are wonderful!

Ruth Hartley Storytelling, Festival, Truth Dare Command, Writing ProcessLeave a Comment

I am a prize-winner for the first time I am thrilled to be a runner-up in the Charroux Litfest competition for my short story Truth, Dare, Command. Thank you Charroux Litfest and thank you Charroux organisers – Kate Rose and Barbara Sage. I know you do an unpaid, time-consuming labour of love. The theme of the competition was Truth and […]