5 Ways to Develop Your Craft
Non-Academic Classes As a writer who has completed both an undergraduate degree and a Master’s in creative writing, I think there is a lot of value in higher education for the aspiring novelist. A course will teach you technique, provide deadlines to help you...
Wordiness
HOW TO CUT WORDS WITHOUT LOSING ANYTHING One of the key edits to complete when polishing a manuscript is a ‘wordiness’ edit. Cicero said, ‘Every word that is unnecessary only pours over the side of a brimming mind.’ Whether you’re looking...
How to Run an Effective Writing Workshop
Having participated in writing workshops at two universities as well as in an informal context, I have seen firsthand how they can motivate, forge connections, and most importantly transform a work-in-progress. Aside from the obvious benefits of receiving feedback,...
Should Fiction Writers Use a Thesaurus?
The Synonym Debate At secondary school, teachers often encourage students to use a thesaurus to find more interesting options for their creative writing and expand their vocabulary. If you study the craft at university level, though, most tutors will tell you not to...