Skip to content
Writing Advice
How to Get Started Writing a Novel
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’…
Read MoreCreative Writing Quotes
“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…
Read MoreThe 8 Worst New Novelist Mistakes
1. Too many adverbs Overuse of adverbs will scream amateur louder than anything else. Many creative writing tutors say any use at all is overuse. In case you don’t know, adverbs are words that modify a verb to describe the way the action is done. If you don’t know what modify means, you should probably…
Read MoreWhat Makes a Good Novel Opening Sentence?
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…
Read MoreWhy You Should Join a Writing Group
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…
Read MoreGreat First Lines: Examples From Classic and Modern Literature
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…
Read MoreShould You Get Your Friends and Family to Read Your Writing?
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.…
Read MoreThe 3 Biggest Obstacles to Writing a Novel
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…
Read MorePoint of View and How It Affects Your Novel
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…
Read More