creative writing | creative life
Last month in a Scribbles live call, we were discussing structure in storytelling. People often trip when it comes to structure (ahem). We tend to overthink it. We make it way more complex, more intimidating, than it needs to be. Sure, looking at story pyramids and narrative arcs and structural triangles and, erm, Jen Storer …
All career authors need to know how to write. Well, der, you didn’t pay good money to hear me say that. But wait, let's look more closely. You need to know how to speak in public. You need to know how to work a Twitter account or a Facebook account or an Insta account or …
Continue reading "The most important skill you’ll need as a career author"
Creative writing is tough. Sometimes all we need is a tiny nudge to make us chuck it in. If you're looking to bail but need more than a hall pass, here are some tried and tested, totally legitimate, OUTS. Great excuses. Guaranteed to save face. Your face. 1. If you get published you might have …
I run a private Facebook group for aspiring authors and illustrators. You might have heard of it (ahem). It’s called The Duck Pond. Hop on my mailing list if you'd like to join. I also run a private Facebook group for those who are doing my online course, Scribbles. I love both groups equally …
I've often been asked by aspiring authors if they should send three sample chapters to a publisher and try to get a contract that way. Alarm bells. If that's what the publisher is asking for,  by all means send them sample chapters. Always give them exactly what they want. That's, 'How to be an Author, 101'. …