Category: Writing AdvicePage 1 of 6

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

How to Create Suspension of Disbelief

Ever wondered how J. K. Rowling convinced billions of people that a boy wizard could play polo on a broomstick? Or how George R.R. Martin made dragons feel…

Posters for Writers Phase Three: Posters About Writer’s Block

My minimalist, typographically based inspirational posters for writers and posters about editing and rewriting were very popular. It’s been a while, but now it’s time for a third…

Real Artists Ship: How to Finish What You Started

Do you have a folder full of half-finished stories? You’re not alone. This article explores why it’s vital to finish what you started, why many writers get trapped…

Is Blind Judging a Good Thing?

At first glance it seems like blind judging is a great idea, but there are some surprising issues. Discover the nuances.

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.