It takes 66 days to make a habit according to research at the University College of London. Two years ago I attended a writing residency in Switzerland. I was working on a new book and found it impossible to write every day and run my...
I'm always looking for new ways to be smarter with what I do...
I love languages and Italian, as we all know, is particularly passionate and evocative. Years ago, I spent a summer learning Italian in Perugia. I have a vivid memory of sitting on sun-baked steps eating a mozzarella-filled panini dripping with olive oil and fresh oregano. I...
Last year at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival I heard Charlotte Harper, founder of the digital press Editia, saying that as soon as she receives an author’s submission she searches for their online presence. As Editia only publish virtually, if the author can’t be found on...
We all benefit from being more time effective and cost efficient. Here are ten tips on how to make your writing day run smoother. Know what you are going to write before you sit at your desk. If you’re working on a novel this can mean...
Do you always fall into the same writing habits? The same tone, the same phrases? You’re in good company. At my lovely Creative Writing class yesterday I was explaining how writers have tics – not facial ones, although perhaps we have them too – the ones...
Here are six common causes why writers panic – and six solutions You get stuck halfway through Don’t worry. I’ve referred to this before as embracing the chaos. Former Good Weekend editor Fenella Souter described it as the ‘slough of despond.‘ Keep chipping away and...
I’m always looking for ways to boost my creativity. This week I’ve been dipping into The Creative Habit by the American choreographer Twyla Tharp who offers plenty of inspiration on how to make creativity a habit. For a start she believes in rituals. Rituals help train...
Two months ago I challenged you to make the most of the last quarter. To finish those half-written stories, to sign up for a workshop or join NaNoWriMo. How many did it? A friend was telling me that since she stopped doing a creative writing course...
A friend recently sent me an email asking when I had time to ‘dream and write?’ She’s been trying to connect up and I’ve been busy running workshops or busy mentoring or busy working on my new website. Busy. It’s the catchword for our age. ‘I...