Writing a Thriller or Crime Series: Key Insights from Tony Park and Bonnie Espie
Two bestselling authors talk plot, character voice, and the realities of writing (and publishing) a thriller and crime series.
From Journal to Published Memoir: Writing Tips from Sheryl and Sandy James and Indeed Books
How does a journal become a memoir? In this webinar recap, Sheryl and Sandy James and the team at Indeed Books share honest, practical advice on writing through emotion, protecting the people in [...]
The Creative Writing Skills That Make the Most Difference: Key Insights from Jo-Anne Richards and Richard Beynon
What are the craft skills that really move the needle? Jo-Anne Richards and Richard Beynon each chose their three most important creative writing skills — without comparing notes — and between [...]
You Can Finish Your Manuscript: Lessons from Two Writers Who Did
Two writers. Two completed manuscripts. A conversation full of practical wisdom about beginning, keeping going, and getting it done. Here's what Rick Melvill and Tim Chevallier shared in our free [...]
How to Set Your Writing Goals 2026: 5 Questions to Transform Your Year
Expert writing tips to accelerate your development: rewrite strategies, building momentum, conquering your inner critic. Free advice from professional authors.
Writing Tips to Accelerate Your Development: Expert Advice
Expert writing tips to accelerate your development: rewrite strategies, building momentum, conquering your inner critic. Free advice from professional authors.
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 [...]
Character vs Story: What Should Come First?
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 [...]
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 [...]
Self Publishing Revolution 2025: Tips for Building a Profitable Indie Author Business
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 [...]
Why Readers Stop Trusting Your Story (And How to Fix It)
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 [...]
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 [...]
