by Kahina Necaise | Last updated Sep 7, 2021 | Writing tips
What is head-hopping? It’s when the point of view (POV) character switches abruptly in the middle of a scene. Take a look at this excerpt: ‘Something wrong with the food, Miss Annalise?’ Elias asked. Why was she acting all prim even when no one else was around, like... 
by Rachel Smith | Last updated Aug 4, 2021 | Writing tips
If you’re looking to be traditionally published, having a literary agent in your corner can significantly improve your chances. Not only can they pitch your manuscript to the most suitable publishers and negotiate the best possible deal, but they can also work... 
by Toni Mount | Last updated Jun 24, 2021 | Writing tips
In my work as an author of both factual history books and novels, I like to make the background details and the lives of my characters as authentic as possible. Official contemporary documents can provide some evidence – who did what, when and where – but they don’t... 
by Karen Bryony Rose | Last updated May 26, 2021 | Writing tips
Every generation thinks it’s the one that knows how to have fun. After the past year, we’ve all come to appreciate how entertainment is a necessary part of a happy life. Changes to the form and venue of entertainment continue to come and go as they’re affected by the... 
by Josh Turner | Last updated Apr 26, 2021 | Writing tips
No matter how great a hero, no matter what they can achieve, what separates the good stories from the great is the quality of the antagonist. Look at Star Wars – Darth Vader was so popular George Lucas went and made three films about him specifically. Whatever your... 
by Jack Shannon | Last updated Mar 18, 2021 | Writing tips
Along with flashbacks, dream sequences are one of the most controversial writing techniques out there. Done well, they can add an extra layer of depth to your writing and provide amazing insight into your character’s motivations and fears. Done badly, they can... 
by Georgina Clarke | Last updated Feb 10, 2021 | Writing tips
If you are new to writing, or feeling a little fragile about whatever you’re writing, you will probably be surfing the internet for help. You may be relieved – or alarmed – to know that even published authors do this. Writing ‘rules’ are out there and we, desperately... 
by Rachel Smith | Last updated Jul 29, 2021 | Writing tips
Whether your story is plot-driven, character-driven, or a mixture of the two, there will be times when it’s desirable to draw your reader deep inside a character’s consciousness, and others when it’s better to pull back for a broader and more objective view of events.... 
by Georgina Clarke | Last updated Feb 10, 2021 | Writing tips
Why does no one go to the toilet in historical fiction? Well, of course they do, but we don’t mention it. Writers are happy to offer detailed descriptions of wine, tea, and coffee consumed, water scooped from streams, juice squeezed from fresh oranges, et cetera, but... 
by Connie Rout | Last updated Feb 10, 2021 | Writing tips
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that you’ve got to laugh. Laughter is a fantastic coping mechanism, a chance to bond with fellow humans… and one of the best ways to create memorable – and relatable – characters in storytelling. Giving your characters a sense of...
