Writing advice, insights, and inspiration
Oi, writers! ✍️ Ever read your own scene and thought: “Blimey, my characters are about as emotionally expressive as a soggy biscuit”? Fear not. I’ve cobbled together a fully loaded emotional toolkit so your characters feel real. I’ve got you covered for heart-wrenching, hilarious, awkward, heroic, and more. Think Harry Potter losing Sirius, The Fault … Read more
Villains are some of the most fascinating characters to write. They’re complex, unpredictable, and often the best way to explore the darker sides of human nature. But a great villain isn’t just “evil for the sake of it.” Most memorable antagonists have motivations grounded in psychology, trauma, or worldview. If you’re struggling to make your … Read more
So, you’ve written a story, maybe even finished a manuscript, and now someone asks you for an “author bio.” Cue panic. Don’t worry. I’ve been there, most writers have, and the truth is, your bio doesn’t have to be complicated, boring, or scary. This mega guide breaks it all down: why it matters, what to … Read more
Hello lovely people. Today let’s look at something I always get asked a lot about; book reviews! Oh the joys of the often overwhelming world of book promotion. Getting reviews isn’t as impossible as you think. You don’t even have to sell your soul! With a few clever tactics and a sprinkle of persistence, you … Read more
Right, so let’s get something straight: writing a story is hard. Like, really hard. And most writers, even the ones who think they’ve got “talent”, make the same mistakes over and over. Mistakes that slowly, quietly, kill a story without you even realising. I’ve been there. I’ve stared at pages filled with ideas that seemed … Read more
So picture this: you’ve got a coffee, your laptop is open, and you’re ready to write the next Great British Novel. And then… nothing. Nada. You type a sentence, delete it. Type another. Delete it. Think “that made more sense in my head.” One hour later, you’ve mastered Reddit scrolling and the art of sighing … Read more
Ever sit down at your desk, open a blank document, and wonder: Am I really good enough to be published? You’re not alone. Probably every writer in who existed ever has felt that doubt at some point! Talent isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle. Only showing up in the little things, or when others point … Read more
What is article padding? Article padding is when extra words, sentences, or sections are added to make a piece look longer than it really is. It can slow readers down, weaken your message, and make your writing feel bloated. (Some articles feel like they were padded with actual sofa cushions.) Examples: Tips: Further reading: Self-Editing … Read more
Why does story length even matter? People argue about this endlessly. Some swear a novel must be at least 80,000 words or it “doesn’t count.” Others boast about finishing a bestseller in 45,000. And then there are short stories so tight and powerful they hit harder than a 500-page doorstop. Truth: your story should be … Read more
Why write steampunk? Steampunk blends history, imagination and invention. It takes the elegance of the Victorian age and adds strange machines, airships and brass gadgets. Readers love it because it feels both nostalgic and adventurous. (When I wrote my first steampunk short story, a reader told me it reminded them of Jules Verne mixed with … Read more