Maps are generally considered valuable tools and nothing more. as a writer; I discovered that they can be so much more; here’s what I found. Not all maps are created equal. Some are designed to give basic information, while others can tell a story. If you write vintage factual or fiction books like me, …
People often ask where stories come from. The short answer is from everywhere. Sometimes an idea will come from something I’m watching or reading. At other times it could come from an experience I have while I’m out. I might be in the supermarket or coffee shop and overhear a few words of a conversation, …
This week I found myself writing for radio, and the difference between television and radio is enormous. I had not really thought about radio for a very long time. In fact, the last time I wrote anything for the medium was many years ago. I have found it such an exciting experience. All too often, …
When I write, I listen to music, as many writers do. However, I don’t simply turn on the radio or put on a favourite CD. I make my choice very carefully, let me tell you why. I will refer to novel writing as an example in this short article; however, the process works just the …
Many writers curse the time that dialogue threatens to appear in a novel or short story. They fear the spoken word because it feels false when writing a speech for characters. There is a straightforward reason for this which I learned only through experience. I have written since my teens, and all of my early …
I remember about thirty-odd years ago enrolling on a writing course. This was a correspondence course and I recall having to type up the assignments and mail them off, then having to wait for the tutor’s reply. At the time I was using an old Royal typewriter and felt like a real writer, whatever that …
I think it’s important to read not just within your chosen genre, but also outside of your normal comfort zone as well. The more I read, the more ideas are generated and this can only help my writing. Reading only within a narrow area can, in my opinion, be dangerous, because the ideas will have …
I can’t speak for other writers, but when it comes to sharing anything personal I shy away from it. Now, I know that as a writer everything we write in a sense is personal, it has to be, unless it’s straight facts journalism of course. I mean creative writing in the main. You know we …
Sitting here typing this morning I can’t help thinking how different I would feel if I were working on an old wooden desk instead of the slim line black number I have. How different it would be hammering away at a typewriter, hearing the clatter of the keys and the sound of the bell …
We see so much in the media concerning hoarding and hoarders these days, People filling up their homes with far too much stuff in order to compensate for less than perfect lives. It’s a common to joke about having a messy desk and work area being fine, so long as you know where everything is. The …
