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

National Writing Day Prompt List

It’s National Writing Day! And to celebrate I’ve pulled together my favourite resources for writing prompts, ideas and starters-for-ten, perfect for when your well of creative ideas feels like it’s … Continue reading National Writing Day Prompt List

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

Why Symbolism is Beautiful (And Why You Should Be Using It)

Way back at the beginning of term (I’m in the Transnational Creative Writing Masters Programme at Stockholm University) we had an awesome workshop from Cassie Gonzales. She was talking about … Continue reading Why Symbolism is Beautiful (And Why You Should Be Using It)

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

The 10,000 Word Itch (or What To Do When You Come Up With A New Book Idea Whilst Writing A Different Book)

You’re in a relationship. You’ve been together three months. You’re starting to get to know each other, you’ve had quite a few dates – and things are starting to go … Continue reading The 10,000 Word Itch (or What To Do When You Come Up With A New Book Idea Whilst Writing A Different Book)