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    Writing courses, free resources and webinars, and developmental editing Writing courses, free resources and webinars, and developmental editing
    • Home
    • About
      • About
      • Facilitators
      • Testimonials
      • Contact
      • How to enrol
    • Courses
      • Venice Writing Retreat
      • Creative Writing Course
      • Stow-on-the-Wold Writing Weekend
      • A memoir weekend and a writing retreat in the Karoo
    • Shop
    • Free resources
      • Free offerings for writers
      • Downloadable writing resources
    • Blog
    • Community Hub

    Archives

    Monthly Archive for: "November, 2019"
     Black Friday Special: 40% off all online courses for today only
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    By All About Writing
    In Promotions
    Posted November 29, 2019

    Black Friday Special: 40% off all online courses for today only

    Black Friday Special: 40% off all online courses for today only To recognize Black Friday, we’ve got an extra-special, once-off sale on. Receive 40% off any of our online courses […]

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     Writing Secrets: Let the clues fall lightly
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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In Jo-Anne Richard's blog, Tips for Writers
    Posted November 27, 2019

    Writing Secrets: Let the clues fall lightly

    A woman in her late 40s has lived for some time entirely alone in a forest hut as a conservation ranger. A man travels through her area of the forest, […]

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     Monday Motivation: Seek to be honest, seek to be truthful
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    By Richard Beynon
    In Monday Motivation, Richard Beynon's blog
    Posted November 25, 2019

    Monday Motivation: Seek to be honest, seek to be truthful

    The world, our institutions, and our so-called opinion-makers, speak a great deal about facts v. fiction, about fake news v. the truth. But where does the writer of fiction stand […]

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     Got any story ideas? Join us for a free webinar on brainstorming
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    By Richard Beynon
    In Webinars
    Posted November 21, 2019

    Got any story ideas? Join us for a free webinar on brainstorming

      Brainstorm? Good idea? Join us on a free webinar We are committed to giving as much value as we can, and as many free offerings as we can manage. […]

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     Writing Secrets: We like a little bad – but not too much
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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In Jo-Anne Richard's blog, Tips for Writers
    Posted November 20, 2019

    Writing Secrets: We like a little bad – but not too much

    We were recently approached for help with a writing project in which the writer wished her sole protagonist to be a true psychopath, who enjoyed killing. I’m not saying this […]

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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In Invitations
    Posted November 19, 2019

    Join us for breakfast and some literary fun at Casa Labia on Saturday 7 December

    The creative writing workshop will be of equal benefit to more experienced writers wanting to augment their skills, and to those with no experience at all, who are looking for a place to start.

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     Monday Motivation: This is how stories begin…
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    By Richard Beynon
    In Monday Motivation, Richard Beynon's blog
    Posted November 18, 2019

    Monday Motivation: This is how stories begin…

    In the spirit of innovation and invention, let’s devote the next five minutes – yes, while it might take me an hour or two to compose these little missives, that’s […]

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     Writing Secrets: The humbling lessons we learn from writing
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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In Jo-Anne Richard's blog, Tips for Writers
    Posted November 13, 2019

    Writing Secrets: The humbling lessons we learn from writing

    Writing can teach you as much about yourself as it can about the craft. Over the past weeks, I’ve been sharing with you the advice of a few of our mentoring participants – those who are writing a [...]

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     Monday Motivation: Story is alive and well on the small screen
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    By Richard Beynon
    In Monday Motivation, Richard Beynon's blog
    Posted November 11, 2019

    Monday Motivation: Story is alive and well on the small screen

    Of course, we’re all members of the box-set society. No social gathering passes these days without someone asking for recommendations about the latest, or the best, or the overlooked gems […]

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     November Newsletter: Write your way to a more creative life
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    By Richard Beynon
    In All About Writing, Newsletters
    Posted November 7, 2019

    November Newsletter: Write your way to a more creative life

      Write your way to a more creative life Today we launch our schedule of courses for 2020. They range from our mentoring programme to a Venetian retreat; from an […]

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     Writing Secrets: A little bridge over all that mud
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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In Jo-Anne Richard's blog, Tips for Writers
    Posted November 6, 2019

    Writing Secrets: A little bridge over all that mud

    The middle can be the most daunting part of the book to push through. The beginning rushes out after you’ve been thinking about your story for months. But the middle is where writers get stuck, [...]

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     Monday Motivation: Read like a writer, write like a champ
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    By Richard Beynon
    In Monday Motivation, Richard Beynon's blog
    Posted November 4, 2019

    Monday Motivation: Read like a writer, write like a champ

    Writing can be hard. When you set out to write a scene, you are conjuring into existence circumstances, characters, actions and dialogue that you have never, in life, precisely encountered […]

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    🍾 📚 Join us for a special webinar featuring 🍾 📚 Join us for a special webinar featuring All About Writing alumna @bonnieespie whose darkly witty debut novel Making A Killing has just been launched. 

Bonnie will be joined by acclaimed psychological thriller author @marinaauer_sa (Single Minded, Double Edged and the soon to be released Three Echoes) and their publisher Stevlyn Vermeulen from Kwela Books.

Together, they’ll explore their writing journeys, the path to publication, and the creative process behind their compelling stories. Bonnie’s journey from All About Writing student to published author offers a particularly inspiring example of where dedication to craft can lead.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the publishing process directly from authors and a publisher, with time for your questions. 

Don’t miss this celebration of literary achievement within our community!

Register via the link in bio.
    👁️ THE WRITER'S EYE: Learn to spot what other 👁️ THE WRITER'S EYE: Learn to spot what others miss

"We all think we notice people and events, but most of us don't."

In our recent webinar, Jo-Anne and Richard shared how the best writers train themselves to observe details others overlook—and how you can too!

Did you know that focusing on just the right distinguishing detail can replace paragraphs of description? 

Or that watching people interact in a language you don't understand can actually improve your ability to read body language?

Our participants discovered exercises to sharpen their observation skills and techniques to translate everyday moments into vivid prose.

Watch the replay through the link in our bio!

#WritingCommunity #WritingTips #CreativeWriting #WriterLife #ObservationSkills
    Observation: The Secret Weapon of Successful Story Observation: The Secret Weapon of Successful Storytellers

In this month's newsletter, Jo-Anne shares her personal journey of learning to observe—from spotting elusive eagle rays underwater to studying human behaviour as someone on the autism spectrum. She reveals how deliberate observation became not just a survival skill but the foundation of her writing craft.

Here are our top takeaways:

*It’s a matter of observing actively – training your eyes to see what is before them.
*Notice the way people speak to each other, the things they say, the way they seek love, friendship or companionship.
*A book doesn’t simply consist of plot, or even character. You want to spirit your readers into another world.
*A ‘small’ life doesn’t make for a small story. There are stories everywhere, and often the most compelling are those which are closest to home.

#ObservationSkills #WritingInspiration #WritingSkills #StorytellingTips
    ✍️ THE CRITICAL SCREW IN YOUR STORY ✍️ "T ✍️ THE CRITICAL SCREW IN YOUR STORY ✍️

"The integrity of your entire story could well rely on the solution you seek – and so it's worth whatever hard labour it demands of you."

This week, Richard explores how a single narrative flaw can determine the value of your entire manuscript.

Swipe up in our story to read Richard's practical tips on identifying and repairing those seemingly small but critical elements in your writing.

#AmWriting #WritersOfInstagram #WritingAdvice #StoryStructure #WritingCommunity #AuthorTips #CreativeWriting #WritingJourney
    ✍️NEW ON THE BLOG: Building a Community & Bran ✍️NEW ON THE BLOG: Building a Community & Brand Around Your Writing ✍️

Key takeaways from the London Book Fair 2025 panel. Huge thanks to @rosiekellett @paruledits @emmagannonuk Georgia Henry from @pitchagencyco for the great session

📝Community is more valuable than audience: Quality connections matter more than follower counts, with platforms like Substack fostering genuine engagement rather than superficial follows.

📝Focus on sustainability: Choose platforms and strategies you can maintain consistently rather than spreading yourself too thin across multiple channels.

📝Balance online and offline engagement: Create intimate in-person gatherings (like retreats or supper clubs) alongside your digital presence for more meaningful connections.

📝Social media can be valuable but only if you enjoy it: Georgia Henry emphasised that if you're not enjoying a platform, it's not worth forcing yourself to use it.

📝Authenticity is essential: Rosie Kellett noted that her most popular content comes from genuine vulnerability, while Emma Gannon advised writers to "follow your gut" and do what feels right rather than following trends.

#WritingCommunity #AuthorBranding #WritersOfInstagram #AuthorPlatform #LBF25
    ✍️ WRITING TIP: "There was a loud crash that ✍️ WRITING TIP: 

"There was a loud crash that echoed through the empty hallway."

Better: "A loud crash echoed through the empty hallway."

Eliminate unnecessary "there was/is" constructions to make your writing more direct and powerful.

Learn more sentence-crafting techniques in our Strong Sentences, Stronger Stories webinar. Link in bio to watch the full replay! 

#WritingCommunity #WritingTips
    View from the office. View from the office.
    ✍️ WRITING MASTERCLASS: The Power of Sentence ✍️ WRITING MASTERCLASS: The Power of Sentence Structure

A mini-lesson from Jo-Anne Richards on crafting stronger sentences. Swipe through for practical tips on improving your prose.

Language is the foundation of good writing. Here's a common issue I see with many writers: the overuse of sentence fragments. While fragments can be powerful when used deliberately, they often weaken your prose when overused.

Let's look at an example:
"The nail bent. He hissed. Straightened. Angled his body. Aimed his hammer at the next nail."

Notice how the choppy fragments create a repetitive pattern? Now compare with this:
"He straightened. Angling his body, he aimed the hammer..."

The second version varies sentence structure, creating natural flow while maintaining impact.

Remember: Like screaming, sentence fragments lose their force if they're overused. Use them with intention for maximum effect.

Want to learn more? Join our free writing webinar Strong Sentences, Stronger Stories. Link in bio!
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#WritingCommunity #WritingTips #AmWriting #WritersOfInstagram #AuthorTips #WritingAdvice #WritingCraft #CreativeWriting  #AuthorsOfInstagram #WritingMotivation #WritingLesson #WritingInspiration #WritingSkills
    ✍️ Transform your real-world insights into pow ✍️ Transform your real-world insights into powerful scenes with these writing tips from Richard Beynon. Swipe for practical techniques to elevate your storytelling. 

 #WritingCommunity #WritingTips #AmWriting
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    NEWS & TIPS
    • Unlock Gripping Stories: The Power of What Your Character Wants
      Unlock Gripping Stories: The Power of What Your Character Wants
    • Transform Your Writing Through Observation: Webinar Replay & Actionable Tips Download
      Transform Your Writing Through Observation: Webinar Replay & Actionable Tips Download
    • Observation: The Secret Weapon of Successful Storytellers
      Observation: The Secret Weapon of Successful Storytellers
    • Finding and Fixing Your Story’s Critical Flaws
      Finding and Fixing Your Story’s Critical Flaws
    • Building a Community and Brand Around Your Writing
      Building a Community and Brand Around Your Writing
    • Strong Sentences, Stronger Stories: Craft Your Way to Powerful Prose
      Strong Sentences, Stronger Stories: Craft Your Way to Powerful Prose
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