What does the phrase “sent to Coventry” mean?
While the exact origin of “sent to Coventry” continues to elude historians, its meaning remains steadfast. An English idiom, this phrase is not as predictable as other phrases, like “the…
Insights into a creative writing practice
Creative nonfiction as poetry: Thanks for the vinegar.
What is creative nonfiction and how does poetry fit into this category? ‘Thanks for the vinegar’ tells a true story about a time in my life when a dip in the sea was second nature.
How to create a character dossier for character creation
Even with an intimate dossier, characters will shape their own story. Allow for moments of unexpected discoveries.
Viewpoint and the art of switching point of view
A story’s viewpoint may appear to be a straightforward choice. Choose a point of view and start writing. But my experience with viewpoint doesn’t support this ideal application. Rather, I have come to embrace the art of switching.
Barthes’ The Death of the Author: a meditation
A reflection on Barthes’ essay and how it encourages the writer to consider the reader.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Readers: more fantasy, less romance
Results for the 2016 Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader’s survey into what readers like when they read SF&F.
Plotting versus pantsing: the great debate
A contentious debate rages among authors over plotting and pantsing. At times, the argument draws blood with plotters accusing pantsers of pretending and pantsers referring to plotting as paint-by-numbers.
Writing competitions to inspire creativity
Planning to enter writing competitions can help a writer stop procrastinating and focus on a project. While there are many short story and poetry writing competitions, some writing competitions seek unpublished manuscripts.
Self-reflection as a writer’s tool
Self-reflection teaches you to look back on an experience and discover ways to improve your writing discipline. It encourages discovery, reveals decisions and organises information into a meaningful contexts.
What makes a short story different to a novel?
Writing a short story calls upon different skills to those used to create a novel. An author must carefully choose and whittle down words to a constrained limit.