First drafts are an emotional rollercoaster. They include your deepest, rawest thoughts and feelings, they fill you with excitement, they make you mad and stress you out. And, of course, they are the birth of novels, the starting block of your story. Getting through the first draft fast is the best way to get your… Continue reading Novel writing: tips for faster first drafts
Category: writers
Your Queries on Querying – Answered! Guest Post for author Susan Shiney
Earlier this week, my guest post Your Queries on querying - Answered! was posted on the website of author Susan Shiney. Be sure to click here to read the post and check out her wonderful blog and website.
Reasons to try your hand at writing for children
When it comes to writing, you're likely to find your preferred genre, and find yourself writing for a certain audience. Of course, genre is a fairly loose term and there are sub-categories within each one, but let's strip it right back. For example, I predominantly write thrillers. But there's a lot to learn and enjoy… Continue reading Reasons to try your hand at writing for children
Writing Events – Online vs In Person – Which is Better?
Over the past year, almost everything has moved online. School, job interviews, concerts, even doctor's appointments. It's certainly been inspiring to see the way people and companies have adapted to these times, and there's been so much creativity involved. As someone who used to try and attend writing events regularly, I was eager to sign… Continue reading Writing Events – Online vs In Person – Which is Better?
Who should you write for first? You, or the market?
It may sound like a simple question, of which most would answer they'd write for themselves first. But subconsciously, if your goal is to publish, you might find yourself bending your story to fit with the market you wish to publish in. This can shape your plot, your characters and even your settings, as your… Continue reading Who should you write for first? You, or the market?
Ways to create a writing habit, even when every day is unpredictable
Last week, I spoke about how my writing habit had been crushed and re-shaped by the pandemic. And as part of the re-adjustment, I've been thinking of different ways to make a writing habit. The thing is, every day is unpredictable at the moment. And so the typical habit-making behaviour of picking a set time… Continue reading Ways to create a writing habit, even when every day is unpredictable
How the Pandemic Crushed and Re-built my Writing Habit
What a time. Everywhere you turn there's talk of COVID-19, and the impact it's having on people all over the world. In the huge ways, and the smaller ones. For me, one of the smaller knock-on effects of the pandemic has been the way it crushed my writing habit, and the way it fuelled me… Continue reading How the Pandemic Crushed and Re-built my Writing Habit
6 Misconceptions about writing a novel
Novel writing is one of those things a lot of people have thought about. They say everybody has a book inside them, so why not you? But before you begin, there are some misconceptions surrounding writing a book, that I'd like to dispel. Have a peek. You have to make a planThere are benefits to… Continue reading 6 Misconceptions about writing a novel
Back to blogging; How to achieve your 2021 writing goals
Happy New Year, writers! Here's to a year of writing progress and success. I've had a few weeks off from blogging, taking a much needed break. But I enjoy it too much to leave it for good, so I'm back, and talking about ways you can achieve your 2021 writing goals. Take a peek! Carve… Continue reading Back to blogging; How to achieve your 2021 writing goals
4 reasons I’m taking a break from blogging
Morning, writers. I write from under a blanket, with sleepy eyes. I've decided to take a break from blogging until the end of the year, and although I will miss it a lot, I think it's the best decision for the following reasons. WorkI'm starting a new job in the next couple of weeks. Moving… Continue reading 4 reasons I’m taking a break from blogging