A Code of Conduct for Writers
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 [...]
Why Your Opening Scene Might Be Killing Your Story
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 [...]
How to Write Compelling Scenes Using Sensory Writing Techniques
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 [...]
Recharge Your Creative Spirit: Join Our Cotswolds Writing Weekend in Stow-on-the-Wold
Immerse yourself in our Cotswolds Writing Weekend in charming Stow-on-the-Wold (June 6-8, 2025). Perfect for writers and authors seeking inspiration, personalised mentoring, and structured [...]
Invitation: Jump start your journey to writing success
You don’t have to spend 20 years learning to be the best writer you can be. Our flagship Creative Writing Course contains everything we wish we’d known when we were starting out as writers – [...]
Monday Motivation: How empathy helps you create better characters
Writing fiction requires that you deliberately trigger out-of-body experiences. You create characters whose consciousness you attempt to inhabit, so that you might the better be able to describe, [...]
Writing Secrets: It may be a gift, but it still needs to be unwrapped
The other day, someone told me she didn’t need writing instruction because “I have a gift”. I’m sure she’s right and I’m thrilled for her. But what is it about […]
