writing tips – girl and duck

writing, publishing, decorating…

WTF? Yes, dear reader, I do still blog! In fact, I’ve missed it (and YOU) desperately. Sometimes, I think blogging is my favourite form of writing. I love the immediacy, the intimacy, the ongoing relationship. And I LOVE all the pretties. So, Elsie’s makeover. Of late it has ground to a halt. Because… WINTER. Holy…

Author or Businesswoman? The Story Behind Girl and Duck

This week at girl and duck, we opened The Scribbles Academy. It’s been super exciting and lots of people have jumped on board. Thank you!!!! I know you’re going to love your Scribbly experience! But how did this all begin? What’s the real story behind girl and duck? I wrote about this a couple of…

Looking for a hook? This might help.

Hello! Oh my Goddess! I was going to knock up a quick, bullet blog to get you up to speed. But. It all got too messy. Too much to say. Too much to consolidate. So. I’m devoting this post to the Scribbles Masterclass because, hey, this is what we do at girl and duck. We…

Three problems I see with backstory

Remember that song by The Waterboys? The Whole of the Moon. ‘You know how it feels to get too high, too far, too soon… Whatevs I’m dickin’ around. Here are three backstory problems as I see them: 1 Too much backstory Are you trying to tell your reader too much, too soon? Are your opening scenes…

Creative writers: Two things you must have that I can’t give you

I’ve been thinking about teaching. I think about it a lot. You see, I’ve been gathering notes for another tutorial to add to the girl & duck Institute. This one’s about voice. Voice is one of my FAVOURITE topics. It should be every author’s favourite topic. Well. Top five at least. By the way… Do…

Institute Opening Sale! Be quick!

Hello, dear reader. Do you remember the Ponds Institute? Here at girl and duck HQ, I desperately wanted to call our new school, The Pond Institute. In loving memory, of course. And so I could justify a lab coat. But. I didn’t want to get sued. So, we have opened the girl and duck…

Three ways to make yourself write

By: girlandduck May 29, 2018

Uncategorizedcreative writing, creativity, inspiration, lynda barry, personal development, picture books, procrastination, writers' block, writing, writing advice, writing fiction, writing tips3 Comments

Excuses not to write or create. We’ve all got truckloads. Snoresville. Don’t waste mental and emotional energy trying to push through or fight with your excuses. Don’t try to rationalise them, either. Don’t take them out, hold them to light, polish and stroke them. And don’t try tossing out your everyday life in the name…

Story arcs made simple! Plus, how I wrote my first book.

Here at HQ (aka The Palace) I’ve been thinking about narrative arcs. Story arcs. Those things what you hang a story on… Pesky, aren’t they? Exposition Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution My friend refers to stories with saggy arcs as ‘souffle stories’. They sink in the middle. Nice! Here’s my simile: Writing fiction is like skiing. The…

A quick announcement

By: girlandduck January 11, 2018January 15, 2018

Uncategorizedcreativity, girl and duck videos, illustrating children's books, inspiration, kid lit, personal development, picture books, Q&Q Friday, writing advice, writing fiction, writing for children, writing tipsLeave a Comment

Happy 2018 from girl and duck! This is not an official ‘blog post’. It’s just a quick note to let you know Questions and Quacks begins again tomorrow morning! Questions and Quacks, (or Q & Q Friday as we like to call it) is your one stop, kid lit, video wonderland. No exaggeration! It’s where…

Why NaNoWriMo Would Never Work For Me

By: girlandduck November 15, 2017

Uncategorizedcreative writing, creativity, HarperCollins Publishers, how to write books, how to write fiction, how to write from your heart, Lucinda Gifford, NaNoWriMo, procrastination, The Fourteenth Summer of Angus Jack, writing fiction, writing tips5 Comments

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…