It’s legal, but there are still limits!
Are you allowed to use brands/trademarks/company names in your writing? This is one of those questions I get all the time. A prevailing myth amongst writers is that using names like Google and Coke in their books is against the law. This is not true….
What is this show-don’t-tell thing anyway?
‘Show don’t tell’ is arguably the one thing most new authors struggle with the most. It’s something I find myself explaining again and again. One of my recent clients simply could not get the hang of even differentiating between show and tell. It’s the same…
Build writing habits that last
I’m currently reading James Clear’s bestseller Atomic Habits, which looks at the neuroscience behind habits to explain why it’s so easy to stick to some habits (eating all the carbs) and so difficult to establish and maintain others (writing, exercising). I highly recommend this book! As someone who struggles daily with…
How to choose the right POV for your story
POV usually comes to a writer instinctively. As that first paragraph pours out of you, your voice will take shape without much deliberation on which POV to use. Instinct and inspiration aside, it’s a good idea to take a step back and consider whether the…
What impact does your POV choice have on your story?
Choosing the right POV is essential to writing an engaging story. POV determines how your readers relate to the narrative, and plays a massive role in setting pacing and creating narrative tension in your story. Let’s look at the three most common types of POV:…
Spoiler alert: The perfect plot twist
Everyone loves a good plot twist. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping game changer (Sixth Sense), or a more subtle non-surprise (Gandalf’s alive!) a plot twist is a sure way to keep readers engaged and invested. Spoiler alert Even if your twist is easy to guess (within…
Break through your writer’s block with these 6 tips
Writer’s block. It happens to the best of us. And everyone has their own way of dealing with it. Here are 6 quick fixes to change your habits, bring you back to basics, and shock you out of your writer’s block: 1. Mix it up…
7 Writing tips from Roald Dahl
Confession: I was completely obsessed with Roald Dahl when I was a child. I grew up with his children’s stories, and the subtly genius Esio Trot remains to this day one of my favourite books. As I grew older I discovered his ‘grown-up’ short stories….
9 Writing tips from the King of horror
In his critically acclaimed bestseller On Writing, the prolific Stephen King shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work. Love him or hate him, you have to agree this guy knows what he’s talking about when it comes to writing output. Here are a…
The pocket-guide to writing better dialogue
Writing authentic dialogue is hard work. How do you capture the natural cadence and reactive dynamic of speech? How do you give your cast of diverse characters realistic voices that reflect their personalities and where they come from? Here are 6 tips to get you…