If you’re struggling to get started with your novel or short story, discover what you need to know about writing that all-important opening line.
Why you can’t write your story’s opening line until you’ve written the closing line Read More »
Explore the pros and cons of unconventional dialogue formatting in fiction writing and learn what you need to consider when deciding to ditch the speech marks
Should you use unconventional dialogue formatting in your fiction? Read More »
Get to grips with the perfect tense in fiction: what it is, how it works, and tips to use it effectively, without losing your story’s immediacy or connection with readers.
Getting It Perfect: Understanding the Perfect Tense in Fiction Read More »
Learn how to make your readers feel as though the events you’re describing on the page are real, present, and actively happening in front of them.
Immediacy in Fiction Writing: What It Is and Why It Matters Read More »
Discover the best and the worst of the passive voice: what it is, why we use it, and how authors can use it strategically in their fiction writing.
When to use the passive voice in fiction (and when to avoid it) Read More »
Discover when you should prioritise historical research and when you can lean on a bit of creative licence to write your historical novel.
Historical Accuracy in Fiction Writing (And Why Narrative Always Comes First) Read More »
How to Use Settings to Show and Influence Character Development When you think about “worldbuilding” in fiction, are you thinking… epic fantasy, dragons, magic, hereditary monarchies under threat from armies of goblins—that kind of thing? All of those things absolutely fall under worldbuilding. Building your storyworld can look like writing a thousand years of history
How to Use Settings to Support Plot and Character Growth Read More »
Learn how to use your fictional settings not just to describe where events take place, but to build an atmosphere in words that draws readers into your world.
Using Settings to Create Mood and Atmosphere in Fiction Read More »
5 ways to meet your writing targets in 2026 (plus one crazy wildcard) Is your new year’s resolution to write more in 2026? Mine too. (I mean… I don’t do new year’s resolutions, as a general principle, but I definitely need to get my thumb out this year, which is resolution-adjacent, at least.) The thing
5 ways to meet your writing targets in 2026 (plus one crazy wildcard) Read More »
Settings have the power to reflect your characters’ emotional states in rich, nuanced ways. Learn how to get the most out of worldbuilding in your novel.
How Settings Reveal Your Characters’ Emotions Read More »
