Writers’ block is a perennial problem – the inevitable moment when a blank page refuses to fill. And if you’re working to a tight deadline – as professionals do, and as happens in November’s National Novel Writing Month, you’ll know the frustration. I thought I’d re-post some tips from my archives to help you through. … More Top tips to beat writers’ block

It’s National Novel Writing Month again – an event I’ve supported annually the past few years, and so I’m re-running a few blasts from the past to help participants along. Starting with… Five ways to kick-start NaNoWriMo on its first day OK, so there you are with the plan you’ve made for your National Novel … More Kick-starting NaNoWriMo on Day 1

A couple of years ago I wrote a post about where to find good inspiration for National Novel Writing Month – or any kind of fiction writing. Looking for archetypal stories is a good start – and when it comes to a specific action genre it’s hard to go past a story that captured me … More Where to get a quick insight into good fiction writing for NaNo inspiration

Here’s another blast from the archives that I figure deserves another airing, especially now that National Novel Writing Month is upon us. Nailing down a style that works for you – which is distinctive, unique and cool – isn’t always easy. There’s so much going on for beginning writers, everything from wrestling with the fact … More Finding your writing style and voice

I’ve written a lot on this blog about writing, and some it deserves re-airing – especially with National Novel Writing Month around the corner. One of the big issues is what word count means for authors. What ‘word count’ really means for writers I have often railed about the misuse of ‘word count’ as a … More Word count and National Novel Writing Month