I wanted to quickly unpack this piece of writing advice: "Write what you know". I've heard it so many times before and I used to think, "Well, that's stupid. I'm writing a fantasy, and so I can't write what I know. I've never been to a fantasy world or fought in wars!" Oh, Siana, how… Continue reading “Write What You Know”
Tag: writing advice
The Three Morals of My Current Story
My current work in progress is a novel about five young artists at an art school (university) in England. They've all got their fair share of problems and at the school, they are able to confront these and finally better their lives. I wanted the theme of Identity to be at the centre of the… Continue reading The Three Morals of My Current Story
Creatives Have These 3 False Beliefs
Starving Artist Lifestyle Most creatives (unless they come from money) believe that they must go through the Starving Artist phase on their journey to success. Worse still, some believe that this is all an artist can ever be. Wrong! Elizabeth Gilbert (the author of Eat, Pray, Love) said something in her book Big Magic that I'll… Continue reading Creatives Have These 3 False Beliefs
What Young Writers Should Do To Become Pro (Except Education)
*Some of these things work for both young and beginners/amateur writers* *Also, these are things that are less obvious tips. Like it's obvious that writing voluntarily for a local magazine could help you, but what else? What else can help you develop in a less structured way?* Spend a year (at least) working in… Continue reading What Young Writers Should Do To Become Pro (Except Education)
Why You Can’t Write Your Book
Are you writing a book but you find that you're not actually writing it? Like you have the idea, you've started it, but every time you come to the screen or the notepad, the words just won't come? If so, I might know why... Nothing going on When the book is all you have… Continue reading Why You Can’t Write Your Book
Why I Write Books: World Book Day Inspired
Know myself A lot of people become writers because they're avid readers first. Not me. I only became a big reader later in life. I read when I was younger, but not much. I'm actually ashamed of how little my have-read pile is compared to the must-read pile. I love TV and film and I… Continue reading Why I Write Books: World Book Day Inspired
Other Things to Study As A Writer
We all know the obvious subjects for study if you aim to be a writer: English, Literature, Language, and Creative Writing. There are also the more specific ones, like Journalism, Marketing, and Screenwriting. But what other areas of study could we benefit from? What could enhance our writing and creation of ideas in ways these… Continue reading Other Things to Study As A Writer
Relating to Characters More Than Real People
I love rewatching shows like Community, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Brooklyn 99, One Day at a Time, Gilmore Girls, and Parks and Recreation for mainly one reason: the characters. The storyline doesn't have to be great; it's the characters that I fall in love with. Characters that I can relate to, get life advice… Continue reading Relating to Characters More Than Real People
Stop Underappreciating Writers!
Books That book that you will read in a week or a month took years to get to a place that was ready for an agent. Then spent years (at times) with an agent before it got to the publishers. Then years with the publishers before it got to the shelf that got it in… Continue reading Stop Underappreciating Writers!
Rethinking the Strong Female Character
It is great that nowadays we are seeing more female heroes in books, film, and TV. However, I don't think (and many agree) that the strong female character is actually doing what it's supposed to do. Let me explain. A strong female character is supposed to show young girls, and even women, that they can… Continue reading Rethinking the Strong Female Character
S. R. Crawford 