How to write scene, summary and reflection
BY SARAH ARMSTRONG
I’ve had a couple of moments of revelation since I dedicated myself to writing about fifteen years ago. The first was when I discovered freewriting. I was astounded to see how it freed up my first drafts.
The other revelation was when I read a description .. read more...
How to write when it's hard going
Writing can be hard work.
For some people the hard work is trying to find something to write. Others stall when they come to rewrite and others struggle to find (or make) the time to write at all. How do you write when it’s hard going? When you’d prefer to go for a walk or hang out th.. read more...
October writing newsletter
The last couple of months Sarah has been working hard on the last draft of her novel (working title His Other House). Actually it won't be the last draft but that’s what she’s been telling herself as she crammed writing into every available moment. Her manuscript is now being read by her wri.. read more...
How to rewrite a novel: your character's desire
By SARAH ARMSTRONG
Books aren't written, they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't quite done it. Michael Crichton
Let’s say – for the purposes of this article – that you have a first dr.. read more...
How to write a novel: understanding your characters
By SARAH ARMSTRONG AND ALAN CLOSE
If we had to pick the two most important pieces of advice we give students who ask us how to write a book, it would be these: Try not to do any rewriting until you’ve finished the first draft and spend lots of time finding out who your characters really.. read more...
Where do you get your ideas?
By SARAH ARMSTRONG
Inspiration is such a lovely notion. I used to imagine writers wandering through their day – watering the lettuces, washing the breakfast dishes - until an marvellous idea burst upon them with a flash of light and clash of cymbals. The writer would then hurry to the.. read more...
If you want to write a book... read. A lot.
By ALAN CLOSE
None of us, we’re pretty sure, would want to write if we didn’t love reading. We want to write because we love words and sentences and the alchemy they can create. But reading is not only information and entertainment.
The best way to learn how to write is to r.. read more...