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Voices on the page: points to consider when writing dialogue
Dialogue is a fictional tool: it is not the kind of conversation you would have in real life, and nor should it be. In real life we ask our partners if they have remembered to buy the milk, and if they say yes, that’s it. That’s hardly riveting conversation. There’s no ‘story’ in this simple exc...
September 11th, 2023
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Author interview: Daniel Pease on writing
Watch the video interview with Daniel Pease or read the full transcript of this chat below: [youtube id="PO-_EqB1fEk"] Starting to write Brendan: Today, we are lucky enough to chat to Daniel. He has written and published a fascinating story that we're going to hear about a little bit m...
September 7th, 2023
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9 ways to reclaim your writing groove
At one point you fell in love with your characters. They lived in your head, and you knew exactly what was going to happen in your novel. You could see your characters in vivid detail: what they wore, the way the sun fell as they ate at a picnic, could picture the darkness of a room at night wit...
September 4th, 2023
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Crime writing: 10 pointers from the experts
From not having your protagonist eat too many scrambled eggs to writing what you know--and don't know--here's a roundup of advice from crime writing aficionados. Of all the advice about how to write thrilling crime novels, who knew that having your detective eat less scrambled eggs might...
August 28th, 2023
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How to write a novella: 6 essential tips
Learning how to write a novella is excellent preparation for writing your first novel. It enables you to work out characters and themes more extensively than a short story does. Writing a novella gives you helpful scaffolding for an expanded and more detailed book or series. Read on for a h...
August 21st, 2023
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How to use poetry in fiction
Stretching eyes west, Over the sea, Wind foul or fair, Always stood she Prospect-impressed; Solely out there Did her gaze rest, Never elsewhere Seemed charm to be. From ‘The Riddle’ by Thomas Hardy This is how John Fowles begins his novel, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, that h...
August 14th, 2023
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The benefits of reading like a writer
Reading is a good recreational activity, but, for writers, it is a vital tool that can be used to hone the craft. The stories we read provide good guidelines for structuring plot and what various types of plot look like in action, as well as offering in-depth examples of various writing techniqu...
August 7th, 2023
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Finding your writing voice 5 points to consider
What sets you apart from other writers? How do you stand out from the crowd? The answer lies in finding your unique writing voice. In this blog two guest writers give their take on how to find and hone your voice. Define ‘writer’s voice’ A writer’s voice brings your creative identit...
July 31st, 2023
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Pros and cons of self-publishing – should you do it?
So you’ve finally written your novel and you want to get it published. You’ve heard of the tremendous success of self-published authors, such as Colleen Hoover. Now you’re wondering if that’s the way to go. Is it? Colleen Hoover was originally a self-published author. As of Octo...
July 24th, 2023
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Rising action that grips readers: 10 epic climax tips
What is rising action in a story? How do you make the build-up to the climax gripping, saturated with tension? Rising action is core to impactful dramatic structure. Learn all about it and read ten ideas and examples to make your story gripping: What is rising action? 'Rising action' refe...
July 16th, 2023
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Writing science fiction: 8 ideas for quantum leaps in craft
Writing science fiction has many pitfalls. Jargon-filled language; cryptic abstraction. Read eight tips and ideas from sci-fi icons, from advice on learning the basics to the power of speculation, plus more: Sci-fi writing tips and ideas from icons of the genre What tips and ideas do sci-f...
July 10th, 2023
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Writing romance and love stories: Complete guide
What is romance? Terms and tropes Romance subgenres Writing romantic relationships Romance conflict and suspense Romance publishing Advice from romance authors Romance FAQs Writing romance and love stories places human relationships center stage. Read a complete guide...
July 2nd, 2023
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