Mining Your Inner World to Create Characters
Creating compelling characters can feel like an impossible task, especially when writing characters whose experiences and personalities seem far removed from our own. In both this blog and my [...]
Venice creative writing webinar replay
We had a fun creative writing webinar which we ran from our Venice Writing Retreat. Jo-Anne, Richard and Fred answered questions on aspects of writing, publishing, and the creative process. [...]
The power of ‘show, don’t tell’
Many writers struggle with the age-old advice to “show, don’t tell” in their work, often finding it challenging to strike the right balance between description and narrative. In [...]
The Art of Restraint in Writing
Do you find yourself over-explaining emotions or situations in your writing? In both this blog and my next subscriber-only Monday Writing Motivation mailer, I look into the power of restraint in [...]
How to tackle new writing challenges
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 [...]
How to write more elegantly and economically
As writers, we often grapple with the balance between rich, detailed descriptions and concise, impactful prose. This week, both in this blog and my subscriber only Monday Writing Motivation [...]
The Art of Literary Models: Crafting Truth in Fiction
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 [...]
Seven simple pointers to turbocharge your writing routine
I’ve been dabbling in a little mystery writing inspired by life in the marina – and it’s denizens. This exercise has given me renewed faith in many of the writing topics I [...]
Four essential lessons for creative writers
In our free subscriber-only Monday Writing Motivation, I ask if there’s a mental state particularly supportive of the creative process. This got me thinking about the essential lessons [...]
Character Creation Meets Politics: 5 Novel-Writing Tips Inspired by Presidential Campaigns
In my next free subscriber only Monday Writing Motivation, I draw the parallels between creating compelling characters and vetting presidential candidates. Who knew that creating the next great [...]
Weave a richer narrative: 5 simple steps to thematic layering
Ever feel like your story’s missing that special something? Yes, sure, it’s good, but not quite great? Well, you might be overlooking a powerful tool in your writing toolkit: thematic [...]
10 ways to boost your writing confidence
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 [...]
