Writing is a lonely art and sometimes a right old slog. Whether you're mired in your third edit, or stuck in the wobbly middle of your first draft, it can be hard to stay motivated to write. This may seem odd because as writers, we love writing. But that doesn't mean we're always amped up... Continue Reading →
A lot of writing advice focuses on how the story begins. The first line, the first paragraph, the first chapter - these are all important to grab your reader and get them to keep reading. And whilst this is vital part of your story, you shouldn't overlook the ending. This after all, is the last... Continue Reading →
As a writer, there's nothing better than getting a great idea for a new story. Something exciting, something unique, something...in need of some work. Before you can start writing, you need more than just an idea - a lot more. But where do you start when all you've got is an initial "What if..?" Read... Continue Reading →
In the new year, many people think about new beginnings, perhaps having a go at a long-held dream. And for some, that dream is to write. It might be to finally write a specific book they've had in mind for years. Or maybe it's just starting to write full stop. Whatever you want to do,... Continue Reading →
2021 was as unpredictable and uneven as the year-that-must-not-be-named that came before. Whilst some things have changed, others have stayed the same. Personally, I'm grateful for my health and the health of my friends and family, and that I've been able to get out a bit more than I did last year. Book-wise I finished... Continue Reading →
If you're new to writing you might be thinking "hm, how do I know when I'm actually a writer?" I mean yes there's the whole writing stuff malarky but there are also some other tell-tale signs you're a writer that you should be on the lookout for. 1) Your search history is... interesting Also potentially... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the next "3 Things". This week we're getting speculative with science fiction. Read on to find out what all authors can learn from this genre. 1) How to ground your writing in reality One of the main features of science fiction is that it's often based on theories and possibilities we have now... Continue Reading →
The headline refers of course, to the crime genre, not what writers can learn from committing crimes themselves. Don't do that. Anyway, here we go with the next in my "3 Things.." series (previous posts linked at the bottom of this one), and this time we're getting all suspicious with crime and mystery. 1) How... Continue Reading →
Number three in my "3 Things..." series and it's all getting a bit scary. We're delving into the horror genre to see what writers can learn from the mysterious and terrifying. 1) How to generate suspense Horror thrives on suspense. Horror writers must build and sustain an atmosphere, something that prickles at the sense of... Continue Reading →
The second in my "3 Things" series about what writers can learn from various genres and today we're onto romance. I'm not much of a romance reader specifically but as you'll see romance informs a lot of books out there. 1) How to write relationships Relationships are at the heart of romance books. Romantic ones... Continue Reading →
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