Do you have a story to tell? Author J.Q. Rose shares advice and tips on...
One of my most treasured possessions is a type-written account by my granddad of how he saw in New Year 1900 as a child. My great-grandfather lifted him aloft onto his shoulders and they walked through...
View ArticleEditing Tips: How to Focus Your Story and Keep Readers Turning the Pages
In my work as a fiction editor I often give writers the same piece of advice: focus, focus, focus on your core story. There, I said 'focus' three times. And here's an image of someone focusing, too....
View ArticleAre you a racist writer? On the difficulty of recognising our own prejudices…
I'm a member of three writers' bodies in the UK - the Society of Authors, the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders. I've been to numerous writers'...
View ArticleHow do you develop realistic characters who are different from yourself?
It's time for another of our authors' Round Robins, and this month the topic is... How do you develop a character who is different in personality from all the other characters you have developed, or...
View ArticleHow do you develop the theme of your novel? And does theme matter?
It's time for another of our authors' Round Robin posts, and this month we have another thought-provoking topic set by author Rhobin Courtright... 'Most novels have an easily understood point to make...
View Article6 ways to avoid repeating the same old words and phrases in your writing
It’s August, and time for another authors’ Round Robin. This month the topic has been set by author Rhobin Courtright. Do you have any character habits or favourite words that always crop up in your...
View ArticleMaking Readers Care: 9 Tips on Crafting Compelling Characters
This month's authors' Round Robin is all about character, and the inspiration for the topic comes from author Connie Vines. Jane Eyre, James Bond, Harry Potter, Fagin, Bridget Jones and Anne of Green...
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7 tips to tighten the saggy middle of your story and keep readers engaged
Another month, another writers’ Round Robin. And this month our topic is a question many novel writers have grappled with at some point. How do you fix a saggy middle? Imagine you’re a writer with a...
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7 tips for setting the scene in your novel (and bringing it to life)
It’s another month, and another authors’ Round Robin. And this month the topic is… Setting the scene This seems a simple topic. A scene is just a scene, isn’t it? Just a few lines of description and...
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How Goal, Motivation and Conflict add essential tension to your story
It’s my first authors’ Round Robin of the year, and this month our topic is… Using Goal, Motivation and Conflict to add tension to your story All stories are about people, because human beings love to...
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Choosing point of view: which one is best for your story?
Another month, and another authors’ Round Robin. This month our question is… What are the advantages and disadvantages of first person, third person and the omniscient point of view? It wasn’t until...
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How using the senses in your writing can bring your characters to life
Another month, and another authors’ Round Robin. This month our topic is set by author Skye Taylor… Using the senses in writing: how important is it to draw the reader in to experience what your...
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