If there’s one certainty about characterisation, it’s that names don’t exist in isolation. It’s tempting to think: do they really matter all that much? After all, our parents chose our name simply because they liked it. Isn’t it enough to do the same with our characters? While this is true to an extent, fiction is not…
Tag: #writingcraft
5 Ways Writing Poetry Can Improve Your Prose Fiction
Part way through the film Chocolat, Judy Dench gives a poetry book to her estranged grandson. He reacts in the way many children (and adults) would. Says thank you with a glazed expression, wishing the present was a new puppy or the next Assassin’s Creed. His grandmother notices this of course, and replies ‘It’s not that kind…
A Personal 10 Step Reading List to Improve Your Writing
The other day I was thinking about how certain novels have a big part to play in developing our writing, and wanted to share my personal list with you (including specific lessons they teach about craft). I invite you to pick and choose, discover other titles of your choice that fulfil the same ‘writing lesson,’…
Using Word Trees to Generate Plot Ideas
It’s never fun to be stuck in quicksand. I know what it’s like when you have a great character idea or inciting event, but can’t move forward in a story. Fortunately, I’ve found a solution to get myself out of that deadly situation: experimenting with writing exercises. This one came to me when two different…
How to Write Fiction Like an Ancient Egyptian
What do you think of when I say the words ‘Ancient Egypt’? Perhaps you’re imagining the Great Pyramid of Giza, stately, protective cats; maybe even the vibrant hieroglyphs on the walls of Tutankhamun’s tomb. In other words, I doubt you’re thinking about literature. Why? Because why would you? History has obliterated most of this ancient…
Writing Tips From a Creative Writing Student
Unlike many of the ideas I get for posts, this one wasn’t a sudden inspiration. On two separate occasions: while looking over my textbooks, then in the discount aisle of a supermarket; I thought about how much I’d improved recently. From perking up craft to forming a daily habit, these past few months have shown me…
10 Fine Websites for Writing Tips
As creative writers, we’re well acquainted with the more familiar websites for writing tips, from Writer’s Digest to Write to Done. There are however, hundreds of other websites offering equally good advice, many of which (in my opinion) offer more original insights than the top dogs. Here are ten of my current favourites to share!:…
Should You Write What You Know?
After reading Andy Weir’s Artemis (2017), I revisited the maxim that’s haunted me for years. It’s the sentence written on the blackboard before the professor’s even turned around. Write what you know. Or even more confusingly: don’t write what you know! The reason why Artemis stimulated this age-old debate is because; while I didn’t think Weir’s…
10 Romantic Creative Writing Exercises to Beguile and Inspire
Writing about love is not my forte; in fact I don’t think I’ve ever attempted it other than in fat-lettered diary entries from when I was twelve. Due to a current project it’s something I need to work on however; so I sat down and wrote these exercises to warm the cockles of my pen….
Introduction to Characterisation Part 2
Welcome back to my characterisation exploration! I trust you haven’t had any shark problems between then and now. I’ve been swimming in the sea between posts and managed to thoroughly creep myself out at the sight of a triangular shaped buoy. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I suggest you read part…