The Creative Writing Blog

The writer Thomas Mann said, ‘A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.’ We love the recognition of process and perfectionism in...

We are thrilled to have Lizzy Goudsmit Kay as our Editorial Director, and wanted to give you a chance to get to know a bit more about her. She’s an absolutely brilliant editor and a real joy...

Starting to write a novel is an exciting time, but a lot happens in the run-up to that first word appearing on the blank page. How do writers prepare themselves for the marathon...

The closed circle is a beloved sub-genre of mystery, suspense, thriller and detective fiction. It refers to a crime, usually a murder, for which there are a limited number...

We are thrilled to have the wonderful Mahsuda Snaith join us as a writing coach at The Novelry! Mahsuda was an Observer New Face of Fiction in 2017. Her 2017 debut novel The Things...

Self doubt is one of the big hurdles many writers face – and it’s almost never a reflection on their writing skills. In fact, even people with a thriving writing career often struggle...

Character flaws are one of the most important ingredients for a gripping story and a memorable protagonist. Whether they’re honourable, ethical good guys, or down-and-out criminals with a...

Keeping our writing motivation can, at times, be the hardest part of the writing process. While the moment you start writing – face that mighty wall of the blank page – can seem...

Getting published is a big, noble dream – and if it’s one you hold dear, we sincerely hope it comes true for you. But the industry has all kinds of quirks and challenges that we...

This is truly a great era for publishing fantasy fiction. Originality abounds, and boundaries are being pushed in all kinds of new directions. Bestselling author and writing coach Katie Khan...

 If you’re looking for fantasy writing tips, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better source than Tricia Levenseller, the bestselling author of six YA fantasy books including The...

Adele Parks is the author of 21 novels, all of which have been bestsellers. She has sold over 3.5 million UK edition copies of her novels and her books have been translated into over 26...

How do you make the important decisions when it comes to casting your novel? And how can you write – and track – compelling and complex character relationships? Writing a realistic...

Whether you’re writing about tenth-century royalty, Amazonian rainforests or the family that lives next door, many writers bump up against the question of how to research for a novel. 

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