International humour competition
In honour of the man beloved by quotation compilers, Mark Twain House and Musuem are running the third annual writing competition. You don’t have to write in the style of … Continue reading
How to write sound – putting an accent on the page
The way we use language differs depending on whether we are speaking it or writing it and that difference has to come across on the page. But what about how … Continue reading
International Humour Writing competition in honour of Mark Twain
Against the assault of Laughter nothing can stand — Mark Twain This is the second annual competition organised to raise funds for the Mark Twain House and Museum in Connecticut USA … Continue reading
My Six Favourite Literary Insults
It’s not all elegant sentences and good taste in the literary world…sometimes words can wound and sometimes they can bite back… Mark Twain on Jane Austen I haven’t any right to … Continue reading
Mark Twain on writing for nothing — Quotes for writers (and people who like quotes)
“Write without pay until somebody offers pay. If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this circumstance with the most implicit confidence as the sign that sawing … Continue reading
MONDAY CREATIVE WRITING EXERCISE because it’s a good way to start the week DIALOGUE: ACCENTS
One of the first things you need to consider when writing dialogue is the vocabulary and the way it is expressed. Does it fit the age, education and experience of … Continue reading
Quotations for Writers (and people who like quotations) MARK TWAIN
When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don’t mean utterly, but kill most of them — then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close … Continue reading
Ever written a one star Amazon review?
Ever been so riled by a book you just had to let the world know? Over at The New Yorker writer Bob Odenkirk reckons it’s the best way of making … Continue reading
