Settings as characters: how settings can supercharge your story

Let’s be honest: sometimes as writers, we treat setting like stage scenery. It’s there in the background while our characters talk and act, but it doesn’t really do much. Here’s … Continue reading Settings as characters: how settings can supercharge your story

Tip 10: How to handle negative writing feedback (and turn it into positive growth!)

One of the hardest parts of being a writer is receiving negative feedback on a piece of work you’ve poured your heart and soul into.

But in today’s article, I’m going to let you in on a little secret that’ll help you turn that negative feedback into positive growth. That’ll help you use it to improve your craft, and better your writing.

Tip 9: How to “show”, and not “tell”

Today I’m going to take a look at what “show, don’t tell” actually means, and more importantly how to successfully make use of it in your own writing.

The Importance of Stakes

Today we’re going to talk about stakes, which in short is the bad stuff that’s going to happen to your character if they don’t achieve their goal (or if they … Continue reading The Importance of Stakes

How to Start Writing Historical Fiction: Etiquette (Part 2)

I wouldn’t walk into a bar and start jumping on the tables. Perhaps in 3,000 years that might be considered normal (if so I’m glad I live now, I’m clumsy … Continue reading How to Start Writing Historical Fiction: Etiquette (Part 2)

How to Start Writing Historical Fiction: Language (Part 1)

Good morrow, dear friends. How fare thee this fine day? Alright mate? ‘Ows it goin’? Why hello, how do you do? … Now if those greetings sound weird, it’s because … Continue reading How to Start Writing Historical Fiction: Language (Part 1)

Build Your Own Free Creative Writing Course Part 1: Description

So I did a post the other week on whether or not you should study a Creative Writing MA (or slightly longer ago now, I’ve moved house and started working … Continue reading Build Your Own Free Creative Writing Course Part 1: Description

Problems with Writing: Characterisation

So a few weeks ago I submitted a piece of writing to The New Yorker. I had been working on it for a while and this means that the editing process … Continue reading Problems with Writing: Characterisation

The Terror of Submitting Your First Piece of Fiction

I did something truly insane today. I submitted a piece of work to The New Yorker. It was a piece I’ve been working on for about two months now, a … Continue reading The Terror of Submitting Your First Piece of Fiction

What’s the Difference Between a Writer and a Pretender?

I had a poetry lecture today, which I was dreading. Poetry for me brings back memories of exams in a dusty sports hall with the lingering smell of old socks; … Continue reading What’s the Difference Between a Writer and a Pretender?

Why All Writers Have Two Personalities

You wouldn’t think a Masters in Creative Writing would lead you to the conclusion that you’re schizophrenic. Or at least, not immediately. You’d want to work up to that after … Continue reading Why All Writers Have Two Personalities