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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
      • Events calendar
      • 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
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    Tag Archives for: "how to write the beginning"
     Writing Secrets: Keeping a weather eye on beginnings
     3
    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In Jo-Anne Richard's blog, Tips for Writers
    Posted September 23, 2020

    Writing Secrets: Keeping a weather eye on beginnings

    Elmore Leonard famously said: Never start with the weather. “But does this mean I never, ever mention the weather at the beginning of my book?” one of our participants asked […]

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    "I get a lot of my inspiration from both movies an "I get a lot of my inspiration from both movies and video games." - Jennifer Withers, author of "Gloam" 🎮📚 In our latest author showcase, indie author @jenwitherswriter takes us behind the scenes of her new book "Gloam." From unexpected inspirations to personal loss, Jennifer's writing journey is as intruiging as her fiction. Swipe to see her top 3 tips for authors! 👉 And click on the Author Q&A link in the bio to read the full interview. #AuthorSpotlight #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #Gloam #WritingTips
    How fabulous! How fabulous!
    Richard grapples with the balance between rich, de Richard grapples with the balance between rich, detailed descriptions and concise, impactful prose in this week's blog and our subscriber only Monday Writing Motivation. Want to try your hand at painting vivid pictures with fewer brushstrokes? Check out this writing exercise: The Power of One Sentence 1. Think of a setting for a scene in your current work-in-progress (or imagine a new one). 2. Write a detailed paragraph describing this setting, including as many sensory details as possible. 3. Now, challenge yourself to distil the essence of this setting into a single, powerful sentence. 4. Compare the two versions. Which one feels more impactful? Which one better serves the purpose of your scene? Let us know how you get on. Post your response or your thoughts in the comments. . . . #WritingPrompt #WritingChallenge #WritingTips #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #CreativeWriting #WritingInspiration #WritingExercise #DescriptiveWriting #WritersCraft #WritingTechniques #MondayWritingMotivation
    As writers, we often grapple with the balance betw As writers, we often grapple with the balance between rich, detailed descriptions and concise, impactful prose. This week Richard explores how to paint vivid pictures with fewer brushstrokes. here are three tips to help you write more elegantly and economically: 1. Choose impactful details: Instead of describing everything, select one or two key details that best capture the essence of a scene or character. 2. Use sensory language efficiently: Incorporate multiple senses into a single phrase or sentence to create a more immersive experience without excessive wordiness. 3. Employ metaphors and similes judiciously: A well-chosen comparison can convey complex ideas or atmospheres more effectively than a paragraph of description. . . . #WritingTips #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #WritersOfInstagram #CreativeWriting #WritingAdvice #WritingInspiration #StorytellingTips #DescriptiveWriting #WritersCraft
    We couldn't have said it better: "If you read a l We couldn't have said it better: "If you read a lot, nothing is as great as you've imagined. Venice is — Venice is better." - Fran Lebowitz . . . #VeniceItaly #WritersRetreat #WritingInspiration #FranLebowitz #LiteraryTravel #WritersOfInstagram #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #TravelBeyondBooks #WriterLife #CreativeRetreat #LiteraryVenice #WritersParadise
    📝✨ Sharpen Your Writing Skills! ✨📝 Have 📝✨ Sharpen Your Writing Skills! ✨📝 Have a bash at these two exercises designed to add depth and authenticity to your characters and stories. 1️⃣ Character Prejudice Exploration Challenge: Create a scene that breaks down barriers between characters. Benefit: Develop nuanced, evolving relationships that resonate with readers. 2️⃣ Societal Pressure Snapshot Challenge: Craft a moment of internal conflict driven by social expectations. Benefit: Add realistic tension and relatable struggles to your narrative. These exercises are inspired by the timeless themes in classics like "Pride and Prejudice." They'll help you create more complex, true-to-life characters and scenarios. Ready to elevate your writing? Give these exercises a try and share your experience in the comments! Want more writing tips and motivation? Check out the link in our bio for our weekly writing blog and exclusive newsletter! 🖋️📚 #WritingCommunity #WritingExercises #CharacterDevelopment
    Ever wondered why some stories feel profoundly tru Ever wondered why some stories feel profoundly true, even when they’re pure fiction? Welcome to the art of literary models – where we craft universes not to predict, but to illuminate the human experience. Literature has a unique power to resonate with readers by capturing universal truths about the human experience. As writers, our goal is to create that “buzz” – that moment of recognition where readers see themselves or their experiences reflected in our work. This is achieved not through scientific accuracy, but through emotional honesty and keen observation of human nature. When crafting your stories, strive to uncover and articulate these universal truths that connect us. Have you had that buzz, that thrill, that reading something ‘true’ generates when you recognise that the writer has somehow identified a universal ‘truth’ that we have all experienced? For more inspiration and insight, sign up for our newsletter. Click on the link in the bio. . . . #WritingMotivation #WritingInspiration #WritingCraft #LiteraryTruth #WritingCommunity #AmWriting
    📝 Writers, fuel your creativity with these game 📝 Writers, fuel your creativity with these game-changing tips! 🚀 More on on our website! Click on the Monday Motivation link in bio. 👆 . . . #WritingTips #CreativeWriting #WritersOfInstagram #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #MondayMotivation #AmWriting
    🌼 From wildflowers to immortality? 🤔 Writers 🌼 From wildflowers to immortality? 🤔 Writers, embrace the unexpected! This week's Monday Writing Motivation explores how a simple wild flower took Richard down a rabbit hole that led him to discover about medieval burial practices. Curious? Swipe to see our 5 tips on using serendipitous research to elevate your writing. . . . #WritingTips #AllAboutWriting #CuriosityDrivenWriting"
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    NEWS & TIPS
    • Author Q and A: Jennifer Withers – Gloam
      Author Q and A: Jennifer Withers – Gloam
    • How to tackle new writing challenges
      How to tackle new writing challenges
    • How to write more elegantly and economically
      How to write more elegantly and economically
    • The Art of Literary Models: Crafting Truth in Fiction
      The Art of Literary Models: Crafting Truth in Fiction
    • Seven simple pointers to turbocharge your writing routine
      Seven simple pointers to turbocharge your writing routine
    • Embracing the Void: Three Keys to Unlocking Your Creative Potential
      Embracing the Void: Three Keys to Unlocking Your Creative Potential
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