Category Archives: Ideas

10 Tips for Choosing Characters’ Names

Posted on October 6, 2022 by blogaboutwriting

As I sit under my newly-purchased ‘heated throw’ (it’s basically an electric blanket and I love it) I thought it might be fun to think about characters’ names. But don’t waste too much time thinking about your characters’ names. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Ideas | 14 Comments

‘Saying I Will’ – the Story Behind The Story

Posted on June 17, 2018 by blogaboutwriting

I’ve got a confession to make, dear Readers: I keep things from you. You see – and I’m sure I’m not alone in this – my story ideas tend to come from things that happen to me. And as many … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Ideas, Magazines, The Royal Wedding | Tagged | 13 Comments

How to Kickstart Your Writing (After a Break)

Posted on April 18, 2018 by blogaboutwriting

We’ve had the best day of the year so far today. You too? Sunshine! Temperatures over 20 degrees! I wore (long) shorts for the first time and swapped my woolly hat for a jaunty cap. Finally, finally, it feels like … Continue reading →

Posted in Finding Time To Write, Ideas | Tagged | 8 Comments

May The Force Be With You

Posted on May 5, 2017 by blogaboutwriting

This was supposed to be written and posted yesterday but I’m afraid I didn’t manage it because I had to watch the BBC programme about stress last night, instead (go figure, as they say). Who was it – Douglas Adams, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Cotswolds, Events, Ideas, Novels, Plays, Poetry, Television, West Midlands | Tagged | 2 Comments

“Hey! That Was My Idea!”

Posted on February 18, 2017 by blogaboutwriting

Did you hear the story of the newcomer to a writers’ group who refused to share his work in a meeting, in case someone ‘stole’ his ideas? It’s only natural to be protective of our ideas – after all, they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Ideas, Magazines | 14 Comments

Guest Post: Writer Linda Lewis (Exclusive!)

Posted on October 19, 2016 by blogaboutwriting

I’m delighted to welcome to my blog a special guest – Linda Lewis – who, amongst other things, is a very successful short story writer. Linda’s never been interviewed in any of the writing magazines, so this is an exclusive … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Post, Ideas, Magazines, Short Stories, Woman's Weekly | 16 Comments

Acting It Out

Posted on August 14, 2016 by blogaboutwriting

When I was at Writers Holiday in Fishguard last month, we had a particularly illuminating session with Della Galton one day (on the ‘Writing With Emotion’ course), when she asked for 2 volunteers to act out a short scene. Della … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Ideas | Tagged | 10 Comments

Guest Post: Kim Fleet – Writing Coach

Posted on February 14, 2015 by blogaboutwriting

Kim Fleet is a writer, teacher and writing coach. She’s the author of two novels (so far!) and her short stories and articles regularly appear in women’s magazines, family history and writing magazines. She’s worked with hundreds of writers, getting … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Post, Ideas | Tagged , | 16 Comments

Random Short Story Competition – Shortlisted ‘New Writer’ Entries

Posted on September 24, 2012 by blogaboutwriting

The results of my Random Word Mini Saga competition will be on the blog tomorrow, but I’m going to tease you today by putting up the shortlisted entries (5 in each category). Just in case you need a reminder, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions, Ideas, random word competition, Short Stories | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition

Posted on July 18, 2012 by blogaboutwriting

If you’ve never had a children’s novel published – but you’ve written one (or think you could by the closing date of 26th October 2012) then you might be interested in The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition. More details here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions, Ideas | Tagged , | 3 Comments