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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 [...]

Had you met me in my first year of school, you would never have pegged me as a future writer. Besides my awkwardness and social difficulties, I could not learn […]

Are you struggling to plot your murder mystery, unsure of how to create those essential twists and turns that keep readers guessing? In both this blog and my next subscriber-only […]

The summer in the United Kingdom was brief and unmemorable – but Trish and I have found that, whatever the season, there are vivid and memorable details to be spotted […]

I’m not sure that anything I’ve ever resolved to do at the start of the year has come to fruition. Something about the demands made by new year’s resolutions, the […]