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    Writing courses, free resources and webinars, and developmental editing Writing courses, free resources and webinars, and developmental editing
    • Home
    • Courses
      • Creative Writing Course
    • Mentoring
    • Retreats
      • Venice Writing Retreat
      • Stow-on-the-Wold Writing Weekend
      • Karoo Writing Retreat | Memoir & Fiction Getaway in South Africa
    • Shop
    • Resources
      • Free offerings for writers
      • Downloadable writing resources
      • Blog
    • About
      • About
      • Facilitators
      • Testimonials
      • Contact
      • How to enrol

    Archives

    Tag Archives for: "south africa writing courses"
     Lessons in creating authentic fiction from Salman Rushdie
    0
    By All About Writing
    In Writing Craft, Monday Motivation, Richard Beynon's blog
    Posted July 1, 2024

    Lessons in creating authentic fiction from Salman Rushdie

    Writers, are often told to ‘write what you know’, but what does that really mean when we’re creating fictional worlds? Richard’s recent subscribers only writing motivation mailer [...]

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     2023 in review: the writer’s struggle
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    By Michele Rowe
    In All About Writing, Newsletters, Tips for Writers
    Posted December 31, 2023

    2023 in review: the writer’s struggle

    Maybe because of my struggles with my own writing, I’m highly sensitive to the struggles of other writers. I  love mentoring, because like a midwife, I enjoy the immense satisfaction […]

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     The hidden secrets of writing with Jane Evans
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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted August 30, 2023

    The hidden secrets of writing with Jane Evans

    Jane Evans, former CEO of Ntataise Network Support Programme, which provides extensive early childhood development across South Africa, has been part of our community for many years. A [...]

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     The hidden secrets of writing with Jo-Anne Richards
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    By Richard Beynon
    In The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted August 17, 2023

    The hidden secrets of writing with Jo-Anne Richards

    This is an extract from Jo-Anne’s first book, The Innocence of Roast Chicken.  Much of the coming-of-age novel is devoted to the narrator’s life on her grandparents’ chicken farm in […]

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     The hidden secrets of writing with Gail Gilbride
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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted August 9, 2023

    The hidden secrets of writing with Gail Gilbride

      Gail Gilbride is part of the All About Writing furniture (in the best possible way), which is why we were as thrilled as she when a boutique American publisher […]

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     Unleash your writing potential at our retreats in Venice and Istria in October
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    By Emma Hutton
    In How to write a book, Invitations, Newsletters
    Posted August 3, 2023

    Unleash your writing potential at our retreats in Venice and Istria in October

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     Shift from Storyteller to Story Seller: Promote your book without selling your soul
    By All About Writing
    In The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted August 2, 2023

    Shift from Storyteller to Story Seller: Promote your book without selling your soul

    by Cathy Park Kelly I have a small vase on my desk (a gift from a writer friend) that I look at when I’m wrestling with self-doubt. It says: Hey […]

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     Flash fiction challenge submission deadline midnight 31 July
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    By Emma Hutton
    In How to write a book, Writing Challenge, Writing Competitions
    Posted July 31, 2023

    Flash fiction challenge submission deadline midnight 31 July

      This is your last chance to enter our June/July Flash Fiction Challenge and stand a chance to win a literary assessment on 5000 words of writing worth R 2900 […]

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     The hidden secrets of writing with Sally Ann Carter
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    By Jo-Anne Richards
    In The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted July 26, 2023

    The hidden secrets of writing with Sally Ann Carter

    I love this extract from Sally Ann Carter’s memoir, Just Kidding: Life, Love and Laughter at Zeekoegat Farm (Write-On Publishing) because it shows so much about her as a character, […]

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     How to write and publish a book: Tips from author Patrick Mork
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    By Emma Hutton
    In Author Q&A, The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted July 20, 2023

    How to write and publish a book: Tips from author Patrick Mork

    Richard recently collaborated with business guru and author Patrick Mork on his memoir/ self-help book,  Step Back and Leap: 9 Keys to Unlock Your Life and Make Sh*t Happen. In […]

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     The hidden secrets of writing with Jo-Anne Richards
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    By Richard Beynon
    In The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted July 5, 2023

    The hidden secrets of writing with Jo-Anne Richards

    Today we’re celebrating the reprinting of  My Brother’s Book (Picador Africa) which has just gone into a new print run, fifteen years after it first appeared in 2008. My Brother’s […]

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     Q&A with Jane Evans – author of “A Path Unexpected”
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    By Emma Hutton
    In Author Q&A, The secrets behind the practice of good writing, Tips for Writers
    Posted June 28, 2023

    Q&A with Jane Evans – author of “A Path Unexpected”

    Jane Evans is the former CEO of Ntataise Network Support Programme, which provides extensive early childhood development across South Africa. She has been part of our community for many years, [...]

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    INSTAGRAM
    We’ve midwifed stories as diverse as paranormal We’ve midwifed stories as diverse as paranormal romance and historical literary fiction, seeing our participants feel their way into a new story or make headway on a longstanding project. We have felt their creative excitement and sense of achievement. What could be more exhilarating. Nice work if you can get it. #venicewritingretreat #amwriting #ponteaccademia
    #amwriting #Venice #amwriting #Venice
    #venicewritingretreat #amwriting #venicewritingretreat #amwriting
    #venicewritingretreat #amwriting #venicewritingretreat #amwriting
    Is there a code of conduct for writers? One of th Is there a code of conduct for writers?

One of the writers at our Venice Writing Retreat posed this question, and it got me thinking.

It seemed to me that there are three fundamental duties we have as writers.

To yourself as a writer: Become the best writer you can be by staying curious about craft, taking creative risks, and remaining true to your vision.

To your characters: Honour their internal logic and authenticity, allowing them to be themselves rather than convenient plot devices or mouthpieces for your ideology.

To your readers: Deliver clarity, coherence, and your best effort while respecting their intelligence – and when writing in a genre, honour the contract you've made with them.

I've written about this in detail here: https://allaboutwritingcourses.com/2025/10/10/code-of-conduct-for-writers/

What duty do you find most challenging to honour?
    #venicewritingretreat #venicewritingretreat
    #venicewritingretreat #venicewritingretreat
    #venicewritingretreat #venicewritingretreat
    For years, a single comment kept me from writing. For years, a single comment kept me from writing.

A university professor told me I'd never make a writer because I spoke about loving words - not about having "something important to say."
 That comment silenced me. I convinced myself I needed to wait until I had profound insights, until I was ready, until I could be perfect. I was wrong about all of it.

This week at our Venice writing retreat, I gave a talk called "The Courage to Create: Finding Your Voice in a Noisy World." The courage to create isn't about being fearless. It's about writing despite the fear. It's about showing up to the blank page again and again, even when you're certain you have nothing worth saying.

You do. I promise you do.

What's the belief that's been holding YOUR writing back? Tell me in the comments.
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    NEWS & TIPS
    • A Code of Conduct for Writers
      A Code of Conduct for Writers
    • Character vs Story: What Should Come First?
      Character vs Story: What Should Come First?
    • Why Your Opening Scene Might Be Killing Your Story
      Why Your Opening Scene Might Be Killing Your Story
    • Self Publishing Revolution 2025: Tips for Building a Profitable Indie Author Business
      Self Publishing Revolution 2025: Tips for Building a Profitable Indie Author Business
    • Why Readers Stop Trusting Your Story (And How to Fix It)
      Why Readers Stop Trusting Your Story (And How to Fix It)
    • How to Write a Memoir: Essential Tips from Published Authors
      How to Write a Memoir: Essential Tips from Published Authors
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