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Creative Writing
Alex Smith’s most recent novel ‘Devilskein & Dearlove’ is a YA Fantasy, described by the ‘Sunday Times’ as “a magical
Her first novel for young adult (YA) fiction was not only a New York Times best-seller in 1999, but
We thought we’d kickstart your week with these ten recommended articles for fiction writers. Got a few minutes? Then
– BY FIONA ZERBST There are no short cuts in poetry. Even if you have been writing for over
Nothing says “versatile” as well as a writer whose resume can boast magazine and newspaper journalist, columnist, editor and novelist.
As Bob Dylan so astutely and melodically highlighted in the 60’s, the times of change are upon us. With
IF I wake up in the morning with perfectly formed sentences scratching at the inside of my skull to get out,
For those of us blessed with sight, vision is the most important sense through which we recognise the world
Author Linda Dawley Ask award-nominated author Linda Dawley for her advice on developing as a writer and she will mention
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Your Stories
The best advice I ever received about writing came from highly successful Australian children’s author John Heffernan about 25 years
It wasn’t always writing that I loved. First there was the sensory world of writing: cracking the spine on
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
“Dreams are goals I haven’t yet managed to reach.” During the course of my writing journey, I’ve actually considered stamping
BY HALEY PASSMORE I’ve never received any writing tips that have helped me – but then I’m not really a
BY CARMEN MARCUS It was the summer of 1984 and Lady Di was just about to marry my toy gorilla,
BY ROLINE GALVAN It was written in big red letters on my paper: “USE SIMPLE SENTENCES.” The first thing
I’m in the middle of writing a novel and I’m having a bit of a wobbly at the moment.
The three years I spent in high school gave me a taste of what it must be like to
Q & A WITH AWARD-WINNING WRITERS
He’s the son of New Zealand’s inaugural Poet Laureate and describes himself as a freelance writer and editor.
Successful journalist Sarah Lang may have started her working life sleeping in her mother’s garage, but she has quickly climbed
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
Karen Jeynes is a well-known, award-winning playwright whose work includes “Laying Blame”, “sky too big”, “Don’t Mention Sex”, “Kiss
Mandy Speechly has worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry for over fifteen years for leading international advertising agencies
Helen Brain is the author of 30 books for children, an adult memoir and many short stories. In 1998
New Zealand Poet Laureate, Dr Selina Tusitala-Marsh Selina Tusitala-Marsh has published three critically acclaimed collections of poetry. She was the
TRUDY DELAMARE asks veteran copy-editor Di Smith if machines can correct errors better than humans in this frank Q &
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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
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
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,
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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