- Advertisement -
Creative Writing
There is no need to write a heavy-duty novel, only to fall into a depression after your first rejection
“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: Sometimes it’s like drilling rock and
Award-winning author ALEX SMITH tells us about the making of the trailer for her upcoming novel Devilskein & Dearlove. While
Helen Brain is the author of 30 books for children, an adult memoir and many short stories. In 1998
Everyone wants to be published, to see their name in print and enjoy that glow that comes from a publisher
From the Gravesite to the Stage Nori Vagi Brash speaks about her life as a Papua New Guinean poet, writer,
IF I wake up in the morning with perfectly formed sentences scratching at the inside of my skull to get out,
From heart-warming animal stories, to great desert romances, Annelize Morgan manages to capture the imagination of her readers. And, like
You want to write, you’ve got a great idea for a story, you’ve made a few notes – but
WEB WRITING
Your Stories
The city is pretty… These were the words I wrote in the first attempt I made of a poem
BY NICOLE ZELNIKER Just write. It’s the first piece of advice any writing professor will give you,
I’m in the middle of writing a novel and I’m having a bit of a wobbly at the moment.
Congratulations to Christie Williams from New Zealand for her story about procrastination. Christie wins our June contest. The closing date for the next My
BY ROLINE GALVAN It was written in big red letters on my paper: “USE SIMPLE SENTENCES.” The first thing
BY RETIEF POTGIETER An artist will sometimes mention that he or she hasn’t had an original thought in a while.
Well, it’s all about power, isn’t it? That’s where and why my life intersects the here and how
BY HELEN TOMPSON The thought that one day I could be a writer has bubbled inside me for
I was always hesitant to tell people that I want to be a writer. At one point even I rolled
BY ELAINA FELLOWS “Why don’t you just quit your job and do it?” My husband asked me. I
Q & A WITH AWARD-WINNING WRITERS
Successful journalist Sarah Lang may have started her working life sleeping in her mother’s garage, but she has quickly climbed
Helen Brain is the author of 30 books for children, an adult memoir and many short stories. In 1998
TRUDY DELAMARE asks veteran copy-editor Di Smith if machines can correct errors better than humans in this frank Q &
Paul Cleave – international bestselling New Zealand author – talks about his writing career and offers tips for new writers
Fiona Ingram is a multi-award-winning author of adult and children’s fiction. She has won, or been a finalist in, over
Sonny Whitelaw has enjoyed a successful career as a writer for more than thirty years. Her work as a photojournalist
New Zealand Poet Laureate, Dr Selina Tusitala-Marsh Selina Tusitala-Marsh has published three critically acclaimed collections of poetry. She was the
When Lotta received her ‘Local Hero’ award in 2014, she celebrated it with lime and soda rather than bubbly. Lotta
Mandy Speechly has worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry for over fifteen years for leading international advertising agencies
Trending Posts
Apps for Writers
While your Moleskine may never go out fashion, technology changes at a rapid pace. These five apps get you
Anyone can share their travel stories on the Web. However, it is the quality of your writing, editing and photos
Web writing is an increasingly popular specialism for writers, but it’s also highly competitive. I’m sharing my top free and
If you are a person who fears or dislikes new apps, and you also happen to be a journalist,
Boost your web writing career with these powerful apps. BY SARAH LLOYD We as 21st century writers are lucky to
Six apps to help travel writers organise, plan and execute their day. BY CHRIS STRYDOM Travel writers rely on technology
latest posts
Well, it’s all about power, isn’t it? That’s where and why my life intersects the here and how
This competition was discontinued in 2025. Read recent winning entries in our e-anthology ‘The Writers’ Journey’, a free download
Logical flow is one of the trickier writing skills to master, but it is vital for good writing. Here’s a
Finally finished a piece of writing that you want to submit to an editor? Woohoo! But before you hit the
Need some writing inspiration and courage to keep going? Here are wise words from famous writers. “A professional
Here are 11 ways to draw in your reader and keep them hooked. Each one of these ways takes time
For most of the twentieth century, television was the preferred channel for advertisers to promote their goods to the masses.
The plot twist is the writer’s equivalent of magic: a sleight of hand, a puff of smoke and kazam! You
After over a decade of judging thousands of short stories in our national writing competitions, our Writers’ College
In most stories, people talk to each other. Many readers enjoy the “talking bits” the most, and will happily