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Creative Writing
BY HANNAH GREEN If you want to write poetry, you need to read it. The good and the bad! When
You sit down to write, and the words just can’t come out. When they do they seem flat and
Only the Dead is South African born Hamilton Wende’s latest novel, released by Penguin Books in October 2012. What inspires this author and
From staying motivated, to why they write, here are some of our favourite quotes about writing – from famous writers.
Everyone wants to be published, to see their name in print and enjoy that glow that comes from a publisher
BY CARMEN MARCUS It was the summer of 1984 and Lady Di was just about to marry my toy gorilla,
How to Stop Dreaming and Start Writing, One Word at a Time Let me tell you something that
Whoever he or she is, your main character has to be someone your reader can identify with. If he’s the
As a rule of thumb, plenty of people will visit your website if you are offering something they want to
WEB WRITING
Your Stories
It wasn’t always writing that I loved. First there was the sensory world of writing: cracking the spine on
Scribbler’s Progress – my writing journey by Trish Nicholson My most productive period as a storyteller was between the
Doing a writing course can shine more light on your writing strengths and weaknesses than a 100-watt reading lamp. DANIELLE
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 TASNEEM DANIELS “Kill them,” she said. “What?” “Kill your darlings,” she repeated. “But why should I kill them? This
BY BEATRICE ELLIS As the writer on the radio was being interviewed, I heard her say, “Think of something
I’m standing on the side of a road. It’s an unremarkable road, but then, why would it be otherwise? Its
BY THERESA-LOUISE BRINK The best writing tip I ever received was from a man who had fallen in love with
BY TRACY SOLEA A bright gold sticker in my purple exercise book marks the day I
BY DEEPTI KUMAR It was in the summer of 2010, shortly after I had just started my first real job
Q & A WITH AWARD-WINNING WRITERS
BY THABISO SEKGOBELA He made cars.co.za one of the most trusted brands in South Africa. He published a book in
Sonny Whitelaw has enjoyed a successful career as a writer for more than thirty years. Her work as a photojournalist
Fiona Ingram is a multi-award-winning author of adult and children’s fiction. She has won, or been a finalist in, over
Rosemary Hepözden has three decades of editing, writing and teaching experience. She is the author of three nonfiction books, and
Paul Cleave – international bestselling New Zealand author – talks about his writing career and offers tips for new writers
Helen Brain is the author of 30 books for children, an adult memoir and many short stories. In 1998
For someone with a curious streak and a passion for Japanese design, Fiona Wilson may have one of the
When Lotta received her ‘Local Hero’ award in 2014, she celebrated it with lime and soda rather than bubbly. Lotta
Successful journalist Sarah Lang may have started her working life sleeping in her mother’s garage, but she has quickly climbed
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Apps for Writers
Web writing is an increasingly popular specialism for writers, but it’s also highly competitive. I’m sharing my top free and
Six apps to help travel writers organise, plan and execute their day. BY CHRIS STRYDOM Travel writers rely on technology
Anyone can share their travel stories on the Web. However, it is the quality of your writing, editing and photos
If you are a person who fears or dislikes new apps, and you also happen to be a journalist,
While your Moleskine may never go out fashion, technology changes at a rapid pace. These five apps get you
Boost your web writing career with these powerful apps. BY SARAH LLOYD We as 21st century writers are lucky to
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