Задания 3-9
Тексты для аудирования
Interviewer: Hello everyone, welcome to our weekly program ‘Five Minutes with a Star.’ Today in our studio we have Julia Summer, a prolific writer, some of whose books are international best sellers. Hello Julia.
Julia: Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure being here. Thank you for inviting me.
Interviewer: You will be speaking on the stylization, pace and plot of a novel at a coming ‘How to Get Published’ conference, which is going to be a truly important event for writers from all over the world. At what stage of the writing process does this plotting enter the structure of your novel, and how does this affect your overall writing process?
Julia: My writing process typically involves a ‘what if’ idea, or scenario. I’ll run it past my agent and editor to see if it gets their approval. Then I’ll start to brainstorm it. I’ll ask questions of my main character. Who is he or she? What happened in his or her past that shaped his or her personality? And, most importantly, what does he or she want more than anything else in the world. Then I’ll think about supporting characters, particularly the antagonist. Once I’ve got my cast, I’ll begin thinking about structure. I’ll plot on a white board, using the four act structure and add post-it notes for scenes. If I’ve got time, I’ll then run that past my agent and editor in case they have any concerns. And, if they give the thumbs-up, I’ll start writing the first draft.
Interviewer: Speaking about the coming conference, what would you say is the major benefit for attending publishing events for writers, as compared to say, online resources on the subject?
Julia: I think the major difference between online and face-to-face events is energy. Whenever I’ve taught or attended an event, it’s the energy in the room that I really notice. There’s a rich atmosphere of expectation, optimism and motivation that you don’t get if you’re sitting alone on your computer. There’s also the opportunity to swap stories with other attendees, learn from the questions that are asked, and the answers that are given by the speaker. There’s a sense of community that you don’t get online, and people often leave feeling fired-up, motivated and determined.
Interviewer: Why do you think it’s important to have writers talking about their own pathways and careers at events like ‘How to Get Published?’ What is it that writers can offer that is different from the advice of editors and agents?
Julia: I think writers can offer a completely different perspective to editors and agents. Agents and editors can talk about the process, the mechanics of getting published, but only authors can talk about the emotions involved. You know how it feels to be rejected, and doubt ourselves, and we can share the joys too. A publisher or agent may feel proud when their author’s book is published, but what we feel is so much greater than that. And we all have such different experiences.
Interviewer: What would you say is the top misconception people have about the process of getting published?
Julia: That it’s easy, that anyone can write a book. That everyone has a story. Sorry, that’s three. The top misconception probably is that it’s quick…it’s not. Even if you’re lucky enough to write one book, get representation from an agent and a publishing deal, it could be years before that book hits the shelves.
Interviewer: Thank you Julia, it has been really interesting talking to you.
Julia: Thank you.
Ответы
3. What do we learn about Julia at the beginning of the interview?
1) She has written a number of books.
4. Which of the following is TRUE about the writers’ conference?
2) It’s an international event.
5. Which of the following is NOT listed as a stage in Julia’s writing process?
3) Creating outlines before every draft.
6. What is, according to Julia, the advantage of face-to-face events?
1) Their atmosphere.
7. How do people feel, according to Julia, leaving face-to-face events for writers?
1) Enthusiastic.
8. In what way is the authors’ advice for young writers different from that of editors?
1) They know the special feelings involved.
9. What illusion do people have about writing a book, according to Julia?
3) Anybody has a story to tell.
