

Inspiration for writers
The creative writing blog
Original weekly articles from bestselling authors and publishing professionals
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This week’s blog

Plotting and Planning
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Characters
Subverting the “Chosen One” Trope
June 21, 2026
Subverting the “Chosen One” Trope
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Craft and Technique
Finding Novel Ideas
Genres
Exploring the Magic of Fairy-Tale Writing Inspiration
Oct 26, 2025
Ella McLeod
Use fairy tales as writing inspiration by stirring timeless ingredients into your creative pot. Season with prompts and reading ideas to cook up a whole new story!
Exploring the Magic of Fairy-Tale Writing Inspiration
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The Basics
Confidence and Motivation
What is a Story? Uncovering the Art of Great Storytelling
Oct 22, 2025
Piers Torday
Piers Torday explores the art of storytelling (and why it matters) in this thoughtful reflection on how stories give us comfort and shape the way we see the world.
What is a Story? Uncovering the Art of Great Storytelling
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Guest Authors
Craft and Technique
Novel Writing Process
Bringing the Landscape of a Story to Life with Catriona Silvey
Oct 19, 2025
Catriona Silvey
Catriona Silvey explores how place can shape mood, meaning, and character with 5 tips for writers on using landscape and location to bring stories to life.
Bringing the Landscape of a Story to Life with Catriona Silvey
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Prize
Writing Competitions
Announcing the Winner of The Next Big Story
Oct 12, 2025
Louise Dean
Find out who won The Next Big Story writing competition, what our esteemed panel of judges thought about the winning entry, and why you must keep writing!
Announcing the Winner of The Next Big Story
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The Publishing Industry
Celebrating Bookshop Day UK: A Reader’s Guide to the Joy of Browsing
Oct 8, 2025
Evie Wyld
For Bookshop Day UK 2025, author Evie Wyld reflects on the joy of real bookshops, and our team shares their favorite high-street spots to visit across the U.K.
Celebrating Bookshop Day UK: A Reader’s Guide to the Joy of Browsing
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Craft and Technique
Gothic and Horror
Confidence and Motivation
A Master Storyteller’s Writing Advice: Stephen King
Oct 5, 2025
Tara Conklin
We look at Stephen King’s best writing advice, exploring powerful lessons from his books and timeless tips every writer can use to sharpen their craft.
A Master Storyteller’s Writing Advice: Stephen King
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Prize
Writing Competitions
The Next Big Story: Announcing the Shortlist
Sep 28, 2025
The Novelry
Discover the shortlisted finalists for The Next Big Story writing competition and vote for your favorite to get them one step closer to the grand prize of $100,000!
The Next Big Story: Announcing the Shortlist

Beginnings and Endings
Craft and Technique
Finishing Strong: Famous Last Lines to Inspire Your Ending
Sep 24, 2025
Louise Dean
We explore the most famous last lines in books. Get inspired by these powerful example endings and find tips to craft your own unforgettable final line!
Finishing Strong: Famous Last Lines to Inspire Your Ending
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Genres
Healing Fiction: Finding Hope Through Storytelling
Sep 21, 2025
Libby Page
We explore the comforting genre of healing fiction, why readers find it restorative, the best books to read, and the key elements to include if you’re writing it.
Healing Fiction: Finding Hope Through Storytelling
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Guest Authors
Historical Fiction
Novel Writing Process
Behind the Pages: A Conversation with NYT Bestselling Author Kate Quinn
Sep 17, 2025
The Novelry
NYT bestselling author Kate Quinn shares her inspiration, the writing advice that has stuck with her, and her top tips for crafting page-turning historical fiction.
Behind the Pages: A Conversation with NYT Bestselling Author Kate Quinn
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Craft and Technique
Plotting and Planning
What is Symbolism? A Writer’s Guide to Using Symbols in Fiction
Sep 14, 2025
Ella McLeod
Writers! Learn all about symbolism and how to use it in fiction with this essential guide, giving you practical tips to add depth, meaning, and power to your story.
What is Symbolism? A Writer’s Guide to Using Symbols in Fiction
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Literary Fiction
Genres
The Publishing Industry
Literary Fiction Explained (and How to Know If You’re Writing It)
Sep 7, 2025
Sadé Omeje
Curious about literary fiction? This guide breaks down what it is, how it differs from genre fiction, and helps writers work out if they are writing literary fiction.
Literary Fiction Explained (and How to Know If You’re Writing It)
