Category: Writing AdvicePage 1 of 5

Graeme Shimmin’s thoughts on creative writing based on his twenty-plus years of experience as a novelist.

Are You All Talk and No Action?

A lot of aspiring authors talk about writing a lot but don’t actually write. If you suspect that’s something you do, then here’s how to turn talk into action.

How To Write a Blurb

Maybe you spent ten years writing your novel, but you still only have ten seconds to sell it to a potential reader… and that’s why you need to know how to write a blurb.

The Amadeus Myth: Debunking the Illusion of Effortless Genius

An iconic scene from the movie Amadeus encapsulates what I call ‘The Amadeus Myth’. Picture this: a dimly lit room and the sound of a piano in the…

How to Write a Tagline for a Novel

A great tagline can make the difference between your novel selling like hot cakes and it not selling at all… and that, fundamentally, is why you need to…

Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Writer

Did you ever stare at a blank page or screen for so long your eyes went funny? Or rewrite a sentence fifteen times and then finally delete it…

Melodrama and How to Use It

How to tread the fine line between making your story dramatic and slipping into melodrama.

How to Write a Frame Story that Works

What a frame story is, why they’re hard to get right and how to write one that works.

Why You Should Join a Writing Group

So, you’ve heard about writing groups? Maybe you’re even thinking of joining one. Good, because if you want to write and publish a novel, then joining a writing…

Deus Ex Machina: What it is, Why it’s Bad and How to Avoid It

In order to understand what a deus ex machina is, first we need to go back in time. In fact, we need to go all the way to…

Vanity Publishing – What It Is and Why You Shouldn’t Do It

You’ve probably heard the term “vanity publishing”. But what is it exactly? Everyone seems to think it’s bad, but why is it a problem? What’s the difference between…