The first line of a poem is the most important line, says Billy Collins QUOTES FOR WRITERS
There’s a lot of waiting around until something happens… there’s a kind of vigilance involved. I think what gets a poem going is an initiating line. Sometimes a first line … Continue reading
Big Reduction! Christmas Sale of Creative Writing Book
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas – at last. I’ve had decorators in since early October and yesterday evening the last one left. I’ve made that sound as … Continue reading
Nations depend on poetry and painting, said William Blake…Quotes for Writers
Poetry fettered, fetters the human race. Nations are destroyed or flourish in proportion as their poetry, painting, and music are destroyed or flourish.William Blake
MY BOOKS: by the Swiss-living Scottish novelist who still loves Little House on the Prairie
Novelist Linda Huber grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged 22 and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included … Continue reading
Money = constipation for writers, says Stephen King: Quotes for Writers
Like anything else that happens on its own, the act of writing is beyond currency. Money is great stuff to have, but when it comes to the act of creation, … Continue reading
How to write from your unique position in the universe… Advice from Barbara Kingsolver QUOTES FOR WRITERS
It’s no coincidence that a lot of writers are introverts. At some point in the life of a manuscript you’ll want to get feedback, but not while it’s in the … Continue reading
MY BOOKS by short story writer Jamie Guiney who rereads A Christmas Carol every Christmas…
Jamie Guiney is a literary fiction writer from County Armagh, Northern Ireland. His debut short story collection The Wooden Hill is out on 30th Nov 2018…nine days time. You can order … Continue reading
Free to enter UK life writing competition
Open to emerging writers living in the UK aged 18 or over, the competition was established by Spread the Word in association with Goldsmiths Writers’ Centre to celebrate and develop … Continue reading
Lean on the delete key, says Barbara Kingsolver QUOTE FOR WRITERS
Revision is my favorite work, the part of the process when art really happens. Once you know where you’re going, you can back up and tilt every scene in just … Continue reading
“If I give myself just one constraint…suddenly I’m free” Sarah Viren on rejecting and accepting the restrictions of genre QUOTES FOR WRITERS
I am an essayist, not a poet, but that means nothing when I’m working on one line, trying to find or make a word that fits the sound and meat … Continue reading
Why the first draft just won’t do by Leonard Cohen QUOTES FOR WRITERS
My first thoughts are dull, are prejudiced, are poisonous. I find last thought, best thought. Leonard Cohen
MY BOOKS by crime writer William Shaw who discovered one Christmas that owning a book was very special
William Shaw, described by The Sun as a “a master of modern crime” is the author of The Birdwatcher, Salt Lane and Dungeness (2019); also of the Breen and Tozer … Continue reading
I’ve just discovered an excellent guide to writing dialogue and I can’t keep it to myself…
I come across many how-to write articles online and you probably do as well. Some are rule-bound and dogmatic and are usually written by bloggers who don’t have any publishing … Continue reading
Poetry is necessary…Adrienne Rich QUOTES FOR WRITERS
I have never believed that poetry is an escape from history, and I do not think it is more, or less, necessary than food, shelter, health, education, decent working conditions. … Continue reading
