Five essential writing tools
Starting out on your first writing journey? If you are just starting out to write and self-publish, whether fiction or non-fiction, put some money aside for the journey. After all, if you were about to open a shop, or offer a repair service, you’d expect up-front costs. Don’t expect the[…]
Read More »Creating edgy short stories.
I have written a few edgy short stories, and I enjoy reading them. As an example, Hilary Mantel’s story of Margaret Thatcher’s fictional death It’s the suggestion of outrageous possibility that can make a story or an image edgy. If the first person form is used as a literary device,[…]
Read More »Strengthening your writing via stimuli.
Writing stimuli. What gave you that sudden idea that made you urgently scribble it down? It’s worth exploring. The power of olfactory stimuli in activating memory is well known. But it’s much harder to ‘dream up’ a smell that might affect the character in your story, than it is a sound[…]
Read More »Title Optional
Struggling to find the right title? A writer recently remarked that she had difficulty in thinking of titles. I thought I’d concoct a list for beginner writers allowing use for different genres. Let me know if you like this kind of post. It can be taken seriously or not. Who[…]
Read More »9 points on writing edgy stories
My second post on writing edgy short stories. Here are some suggestions. (My previous post will add meaning to this.) 1. Write with a clear voice. Not yours, your character’s. It doesn’t have to be first person. You can write third person from the main character’s (MC) point of view.[…]
Read More »Writing: how to improve your focus
It’s commonly mentioned by writers as a problem: keeping focus on the book you’re currently writing. It isn’t just the intrusion of other writing or everyday chores. More than ever, writers blame the ingress of social media caused by two pressures: firstly the attraction of seeing friends’ and family’s daily activities,[…]
Read More »Scottish Showcase: Review of The Grind
Today’s post is a review I wrote for ShortStops, a literary online site that celebrates the short story. The Grind is an online journal showcasing creative work from across Scotland had its first issue recently. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this as can be seen from the following: THE GRIND –[…]
Read More »Starting a Novel – 10 points
Are you starting to write a novel? Yes, it’s hard. Really, it’s best just to press on with it rather than tell people about it. There will be time for that when you’re finished. Here are 10 points to consider. You can waste so much time in the[…]
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