Blog

Getting Started Writing a Novel A completely unscientific poll we did suggested that getting started is one of the biggest obstacles for novel writers (of course, there’s a bias towards procrastinators who are reading about writing and completing polls rather than getting on with it, but we’ll gloss over that for now). Now, ‘getting started’…

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” ― W. Somerset Maugham “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ― Maya Angelou “You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you…

A good first line does not a good novel make, but a bad opening could kill a great novel before it’s had a chance. So what makes a good first line? There are a few key points: Change – if this is a day like any other, why are you writing about it? All stories are…

I spent quite a few years writing before I plucked up the courage to join a writing group – but as soon as I did, I became an extreme convert and enthusiast. My only regret is that I didn’t join one sooner. Here are the main reasons you should join a writing group if you’re…

Many an hour has spent agonising over the first line of a novel. So much rides on those few words that are the gateway to those that followed. A great first line can make the hair on the back of your neck tingle,  and grab you by the eyeballs, dragging you into the story. A…

Some people can’t wait to show their work to others. It’s barely left their fingertips and they’re shoving it under someone’s nose, begging to be told how wonderful it is. Other people are secretive and private, hiding away in their little writing burrows and snapping at anyone who comes too close to their precious manuscript.…

Procrastination We’ve all done it. Gone through work all week looking forward to that slot of time on Saturday afternoon where we’re going to get down and finally get started on that novel we’ve been meaning to write for years… but then when Saturday afternoon comes, suddenly we remember all these important things we have…

What is point of view? If you want the obvious, then you can say that point of view is the perspective from which you view the story. But what does this actually mean? Well, there are two common writing styles – first person and third person. First Person In a first person story your point…