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Expert writing tips to accelerate your development: rewrite strategies, building momentum, conquering your inner critic. Free advice from professional authors.

These thoughts were inspired by one of the writers at our Venice Writing Retreat. He wondered whether there was a code for writers – a set of moral precepts, guiderails, if you like, that [...]

Should you start with character development or plot structure? This fundamental writing question sparked lively debate in our latest Q&A webinar. Jo-Anne and Richard share insights on both [...]

Discover why most story openings fail and learn 3 proven techniques to write compelling first scenes that hook readers. Includes practical writing exercise and expert analysis from a working [...]

The publishing revolution has already happened. Indie authors now control 51% of all ebook sales, with 1.7 million books self-published in the US in 2022 versus just 10,000 from traditional [...]

Last month, I found myself helping my half-Mauritian friend set the table for a lunch with her relatives in Point d'Esny – and getting it all wrong. This simple mistake taught me everything about [...]

Many writers struggle with creating vivid, immersive scenes that truly engage their readers beyond just visual descriptions. In both this blog and my next subscriber-only Monday Writing [...]

Unlock gripping stories by understanding the power of what your character wants! Jo-Anne Richards shares essential writing craft tips for fiction & memoir to create compelling characters and [...]

Stepping out of your comfort zone as a writer can be daunting, especially when faced with a new genre or format that seems beyond your current skills. In both this blog and my next [...]

As writers, we often grapple with self-doubt, writer’s block, and the fear that our work won’t resonate with readers. In this week’s subscriber only Monday Writing Motivation I look [...]

Spring seems at last to have broken out in the United Kingdom. The last few days have seen hours of uninterrupted sunlight for what seems like the first time in months. As the weather improved, [...]