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Posted in COMMUNITY, MOVIES, Perth City, Screenwriting, WA Writers, Workshops, Writers, Writing, tagged Avon Valley Writers Festival, screenwriting, Society of Women Writers, Women Writers, Workshops, writing, Writing for the Screen, Writing Workshop on April 21, 2015| 1 Comment »

Being introduced at the Avon Valley Writers Festival, 2012.

Talk about booking well in advance: the West Australian branch of the Society of Women Writers asked me at the beginning of the year, to run a workshop ‘Writing for the Screen’ in October.

I’m told they expect around 60 people to attend the General Meeting and stay for my presentation – so I’m looking forward to the challenge. 🙂

Well used to presenting to an audience either in person, on a stage or on screen, I’m not really worried about showing a short film made from my script then talking about my experience.

Some of the audience for my Avon Valley Writers Festival workshop having a go at a one pager, 2012.

The intention is to also get them to have a go at a one pager, then pick a couple to read out and critique. A similar workshop during the inaugural Avon Valley Writers Festival in 2012 was very successful.

So if you’re around on the 20th October – a Wednesday lunchtime and are interested getting an IDEA – because it’s a HUGE subject, of writing for the screen… why not book your place now by contacting the WA branch of the Society of Women’s Writers.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #AvonValleyWritersFest #SocWomensWritersWA #WritingForScreen #WritingWorkshop #Workshops #Writing #Screenwriting #WomenWriters

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POEMS: Chinese Influence

Posted in COMMUNITY, Favorite Writers, nature, Other blogs, Poetry, WA Writers, Workshops, Writers, Writing, tagged BLOG:Daily(W)rite, HelenHagemann, OtherBlogs, PeterCowanWritersCentre, POEMS:Chinese on April 18, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Raffles Hotel, Singapore, 2002

In honor of today’s re-blog from Damyanti in Singapore (a place I love to visit), I thought I’d share a couple of poems written during a workshop on Chinese Poetry at the Peter Cowan Writers Centre run by a fellow poet and old friend Helen Hagemann, in 2001.

Spiked fir branches moving.

Dance together as one. When

intruder breezes

stirring the pot of Heaven

renew Earth’s green mountain skin.

Fire clings to plastic

devouring coloured hues.

Melts all pretence down,

slides it away from view

to reveal bones bare of truth.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #POEMS:Chinese #HelenHagemann #PeterCowanWritersCentre #BLOG:Daily(W)rite

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Do you walk in Beauty?

Posted in Other blogs, Writing on April 18, 2015| Leave a Comment »

I agree with Damyanti, writing is close to meditation for me too!

Do you walk in Beauty?.

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My Books Are Here!

Posted in Writing on April 17, 2015| 1 Comment »

Congratulations, Lauri.

Lauri Fortino's Frog On A (B)Log

**I’m super thrilled to share that my author copies of The Peddler’s Bed have arrived from Ripple Grove Press today, right on my doorstep!**

When I arrived home today, there was a package on my doorstep. What could it be?

O. M. Gosh, it’s my author copies of The Peddler’s Bed, direct from Ripple Grove Press!

It’s beautiful!

Today was the very first time I got to hold my book in my hands. It’s so surreal, but awesome too! Bong Redila’s illustrations are gorgeous! And Rob and Amanda at Ripple Grove Press did a tremendous job bringing all the elements of the book together. I can’t wait to share The Peddler’s Bed with the world on September 1, 2015!

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2 x RE-BLOG: Fairy Tales & Coloring Books for adults.

Posted in Children's stories, COMMUNITY, Writers, Writing on April 16, 2015| Leave a Comment »

10 Reasons Kids Need to Read Non-Disney Fairy Tales.

Coloring Books for Adults top Amazon Bestsellers lists.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #FairyTales #Disney #KidsReading #AdultColouring #Books

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Red Umbrella 2

Posted in Art, Art as the Spark, Poetry, Raincheck, Romance, Writing, tagged Art as the Spark, Artist: Jessica McCallum, poetry, Raincheck Exhibition, Red Umbrella on April 15, 2015| Leave a Comment »

“Red Umbrella Series” by Jessica McCallum from ‘Raincheck’ Exhibition 2010

Ripples merge you and I

into a private existence

mirroring each other;

different shades of blues,

silver rings of protection,

white dots of hope,

green patches of communication,

blue background of love.

Until someone else

jumps in with both feet,

splashing and spreading confusion,

drenching our safeness

with questions, green jealousy

and blue moon moods,

holding a red umbrella.

After a while calm silver

reflects our feelings,

reminding us what we had

in our perfect puddle,

holding a mirror to our faces

before rubber boots intruded.

Until we realized what we had

before…

‘Raincheck’ an exhibition in case of showers… 2010

Artworks by Mixed Media Artist, Jessica McCallum

Held Aug 23 – Sept 10, 2010 at Subiaco Arts Centre Gallery, Perth, WA.

(Poetry postcards from exhibitions available from JESSICA McCALLUM)

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #ArtAsTheSpark #Raincheck #ARTIST:JessicaMcCallum #Poetry #RedUmbrella

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Songs Seduce…

Posted in Books, Children's stories, Illustrators, Music, Pinterest, Writing, tagged Children'sBookWriting, EarPieces, Memories, Music, Music&Memories, Pinterest, PoeticPeople, TummyTreats, YouTube on April 14, 2015| Leave a Comment »

The last couple of hours have been spent enjoying my favorite songs playlist on YouTube (and more) and adding them to my Pinterest board called ‘Ear Pieces’.

Previously it was favorite ‘Tummy Treats‘ (must be something to do with lunchtime) and before that updating my ‘Poetic People’ and ‘Children’s Book Writing’ boards.

It’s very seductive!

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #Pinterest #PoeticPeople #TummyTreats #EarPieces #Children’sBookWriting #MusicMemories

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Sphinx Productions, 1985

Posted in Film Friends, MOVIES, Perth City, Scripts, Sounds, Writing, tagged FilmTVInstitute, Mid-WesternTV, PeterAquilina, VIDEO:ShatteredWindos on April 9, 2015| 2 Comments »

In 1985, I met Peter Aquilina through production & direction courses at FTI and set up Sphinx Productions to gain professional experience in our chosen careers of film and video.

We worked well, Pete was technically amazing I had loads of admin experience but both of us wanted the freedom to direct and produce our own stuff. On our ‘zero’ budget, we knew we had to start small.

As Functions Manager of the Riverton and Kelmscott Hotels and High Road Tavern in the early 80’s, I ran a talent quest ‘Best in the West’ to attract patrons into the venues. On top of the $1000 cash prize, I offered the winning talent a promotional video – a big deal in those days.

So, the first music video I wrote, produced and directed was named for the song called ‘Shattered Windows’ – remember, this was 1985 and music videos were all the rage.

The song was written and performed by two excellent (and very cute according to my 8 year old daughter) Break-Dancers. But they didn’t want a dance video, they wanted to showcase their music.

I wrote a script, weaving a visual story but also to work professionally with a blueprint. Over about 5 or 6 weekends spent with friends and borrowed equipment, we got it all shot and edited just in time to enter the FTI Film Awards.

While shooting the zero-budget video, we used four locations; a street in North Perth, The Old Perth Railway Station, the burnt-out Swan Brewery (with permission) and the Mid-West TV studio where Pete worked at the time.

Although it’s not a perfect copy I’m still pretty proud, all these years later. I’d love to know what happened to the talented Break Dancers.

My film-partner, 18 year old Peter Aquilina won the FTI Young Filmakers Cinematography Award in 1985.

He’s producing amazing screen work all over the world but with much bigger budgets, now…

@FrancesMForde ##FrancesMacForde #PeterAquilina #VIDEO:ShatteredWindows #FilmTVInstitute #Mid-WesternTV

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Monday-itis.

Posted in Africa, Love, Poetry, Writing, tagged EasterMonday, KitweNorthernRhodesia, POEM:Unconditional on April 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia, 1963.

Feeling melancholy today.

I haven’t organised the usual Easter Egg Hunt, my daughter did it instead while I was working.

Haven’t in fact, seen my children or grandchildren this long weekend because they’re all away – perhaps that’s it.

It’s Easter Monday and for us, the only distinguishing event over the long weekend was bacon for brekky yesterday – a real treat! Oh, and the chocolates on Friday.

I’m also missing my parents.

Unconditional

You always helped me move

on to new adventures,

strengthened by your love.

That moment

when I realized

you weren’t asleep,

I couldn’t cry.

I wanted to,

thought I should,

but I couldn’t shed tears

for all those years

when I was loved

unconditionally.

When I knew

no matter what I did

or said, you would always

love me – be there for me.

Put a plaster on my hurts,

fix me up with kisses, give

words to make me feel better.

I’ll never forget your strength.

How your arms encircled me,

the safeness of a oak tree,

dense, caring and complete.

I need that care now!

I need to feel safe again,

to sail into your harbour of care,

find you there, waiting

with open arms, accepting

all my faults, all my mistakes

and letting them go.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #EasterMonday #POEM:Unconditional

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So Where Has All The Reading Gone?

Posted in Writing on April 5, 2015| 1 Comment »

I have to agree with Nick – I am reading less books. My reading time is swallowed up by judging (lots of reading), research on the internet, blogging/reading/writing, Pinterest, grandchildren, day-job! Not so much Facebook anymore and I am certainly buying more e-book (less shelf space needed) but find I have to take a screen break quite often… Loved this article – has made me re-evaluate. Thanks Nick.

Nick Earls

I’m on the road at the moment with a book for younger people – 8-12-year-olds my publisher says, and they would know more about that than I do (though it already has some adult readers too). Like anything I write, at some level it got written because the urge to write it was an itch I couldn’t scratch any other way but, at a pragmatic level, it’s no bad thing it’s being targeted to that demographic.

Why? Because they read. They have time to do it, many of them like to do it, people buy them books and they read. I don’t mind what platform they choose to do it on – whether the book be e or p – but most of them still opt for the paper version. If a child shows an interest in a book, if the family has money for it, there’s every chance that…

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