I love this piece by Anne Lamott. She encapsulates the simple challenge of writing and makes it sound effortless. Of course, it’s not. Lamott entreats us to ignore all the reasons and excuses and procrastinatory habits stepping in the way of our intention to write. Unless you make a conscious choice to make writing part … Read more
It seems really naff, awkward, silly to think about reading your writing out loud. After all, unless you are a lyricist or poet, you don’t write with a view to your words being vocalised. But reading aloud works. As a writer, we really do think we don’t have to read our writing. That once writ, … Read more
Elmore Leonard was a prolific and successful writer who found late success with crime and mystery. In this gritty production (only 7 minutes) “Dutch” gives some clarity to writers. This one hit home for me. His characters ‘audition’ in the first 100 pages. He names his characters. In one case, one of his characters appeared … Read more
Who’d have thought this delicate woman could write such gothic novels. From the heart, successful author Anne Rice talks about the craft and art of writing and publishing. 12 minutes of viewing, packed with punchy advice for you as a writer. Here are just a couple of practical gems… The only way to write is … Read more
One of our most successful contemporary authors not talking about fantasy. In this interview post-Harry Potter, Joanne reveals her practice in developing and defining issues in a novel, creating reality, thematic approaches and the grit of real-life turned into written stories. “Probably everything I write will be about death and morality”. Take notes. And, I … Read more
Margaret Atwood has written a broad range of work over 60 years, even though she is now especially famous as the author of The Handmaid’s Tale (based on real events in Cambodia). She is prolific and thought-provoking in her writing. I first came across her in 1993 when she published The Robber Bride. Atwood has … Read more