The Creative Writing Blog

What makes a compelling story? And how can we turn one small idea into an entire novel?

It’s not only the kids who go back to school in September – if you’re starting to write a...

The moment you start writing is perhaps the most exciting of the writing process. But don’t worry if you also find it daunting! You have the whole world at your fingertips, with only the...

While writing inspiration can strike at any time in your everyday life, there are many things we can do to get our creative juices flowing or stir up some story ideas when the dreaded...

Do you look back on your own life and think it would make a great memoir? Have you had an amazing life story that seems to have a narrative arc already built in? Do you have an incredible...

Few things can alter a story as quickly as shifting the point of view from which it’s told. Think about it: tell the same tale from a first person perspective, and then switch that to a ...

How do authors come up with the ideas for their books? What does it take to pen a bestseller? Is it about inspiration, genius, writing style, luck or routine and discipline? When...

As writers, we may not always actually be writing – as much as we (mistakenly) tell ourselves we should be. But even in our downtime, we’re usually thinking about writing. And one of...

Before we get into the specifics of different story structures, it’s worth considering the importance of having a solid scaffold for your tale. Although structuring your story might seem...

Historical fiction is a rich genre filled with inspirational real-life characters and fascinating historical contexts to explore. But when you decide to write it, how do you get started?

This is a...

We’re delighted to welcome Amanda Reynolds to The Novelry as a writing coach specialising in psychological thrillers and suspense.

Amanda’s first novel, Close To Me, was a number one...

For many writers, the question of how to start a story is one of the most panic-inducing. Whether it’s because you know too much or too little about your characters, world and events,...

The idea of outlining a novel may strike dread, panic or even tedium into a writer’s heart. Are we really expected to have our entire story outlined before we put pen to paper?

It’s all...

The question of how to write a novel can feel overwhelming in itself. When you’re facing the blank page as you start to write a book, it seems you have a gargantuan task ahead of you.

But...

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...