Free Writing Tips and Expert Advice
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The Best Writing Advice: Why Do I Write?
BY RINA BESTER My life was a mess: children grown up, husband retired. In the background, an unnerving prodding from my unfulfilled dreams begged me to
What Kind of Writer Are You: Gardener or Architect?
BY TRI NGUYEN I am a gardener. Well, I am not a gardener by trade per se, but a gardener by style. That is the
The Best Writing Tip I’ve Ever Received: Forget about Plot
BY ALANA BETH DAVIES Plot was always my downfall, my weak spot, my Achilles heel – you get the picture. Description, I was okay with:
You Can’t Be an Imposter Because I Am
BY KRISTINE LACO Sheena wasn’t a writer, but she gave the best writing advice. She was my instructor at a cognitive behavioural therapy group. ‘What
Emotions: My Tool for Writing
BY GEETHA RANGANATHAN Sitting at the city library in Parramatta, I asked myself what drove me to write. As the clouds passed by, I realized
Best Writing Tip: Find Your Sound
BY SHAYNA LEWIS My music career ended at age 15. I’d just finished my second year of high school. As a music student, I’d been
Our Students' Successes
Creative Writing Tips From Award-Winning Writer, Megan Frith
Megan Frith studied short story writing at NZ Writers College, before embarking on the Write a Novel Course.Her short story ‘Scars‘ came first in the
Glenn McGoldrick – Published Short Story Writer
Glenn McGoldrick completed the Short Story Writing For Magazines Course at UK Writers College in 2016. Since then he has enjoyed a spate of literary
‘N Onderhoud Met Oud-Student, Gina Van Staden
In 2016 slaag Gina van Staden die SA Writers College Tydksrifjoernalistieke kursus met onderskeiding. Haar alomvattende kreatiwiteit laat haar paadjie in baie verskillende rigtings kronkel – van skilder en
Reality Or Fiction: Graduate Travis Inglis Talks About The Inspiration Behind His Writing
Travis Inglis is a poet and a writer. Published in the art magazine Artascent and the literary journal Toasted Cheese, Travis is currently working on
Writers College Success Story: Novelist Jo Nel
A background as a dentist – and limited writing experience – didn’t deter author Jo Nel from accomplishing his goal of getting published. After taking
Journalism Graduate Jeanna Thomson Talks About Her Success
Jeanna Thomson recently graduated from the Advanced Magazine Journalism course. She describes how this experience has impacted her writing and propelled her into getting her
Q & A With Author Of ‘Namaste Life’, Ishara Maharaj
Ishara Maharaj completed the Write a Novel Course at SA Writers College. Since then her debut novel Namaste Life (Modjaji Books) was published. We ask Ishara about her writing
Travel Writer Rosanne Turner About Her Writing Life On A Thai Island
Rosanne Turner completed the Travel Writing Course at the Writers College in 2008. Dozens of published travel articles later, she finds herself an expert on Koh
From Blogger To Author: Lesley Sefton’s Journey
Catching up with our former student and avid writer – Lesley Sefton – is nothing short of inspiring. She is a reminder that you can
Journalist Rochelle Sewell On Starting Out As A Writer
Rochelle Sewell is a freelance journalist, blogger, and storyteller. She completed the Basics of Feature Writing course in 2015, followed by Advanced Magazine Journalism in
Sally’s Secrets of Self-Publishing Success
Sally Gutteridge has found her niche and she has a tribe: she makes a living writing about dogs for people who love dogs as much
Magazine Journalism Student Success Story: Janet Hart
Janet Hart from Nelson, New Zealand completed the Magazine Journalism Course at NZ Writers’ College in 2012. After 28 years of school teaching, we find out
And Now We Wait…. An Author’s First Experience Of Getting Published
– BY HILARY MURRAY For those not familiar with my journey, I recently had my debut novel published (recently, as in ten days ago!). The build-up to the
Writer Shelley Kirton Opens Up About Her Love Of Learning And Where It’s Taking Her
Shelley Kirton has been writing for years, but it’s obvious she’s truly finding her niche now. Her words are a wonderful reminder that we can
Gareth Ward – Accomplished Young Adult Novelist
NZ Writers College is proud to showcase one of its Novel Course graduates, Gareth Ward. Gareth’s debut novel, The Traitor and the Thief, has been
Writing Course Success Selina Lavery
Selina Lavery completed three creative writing courses at The Writers College. She recently had two of her short stories published. Tell us a bit about
Q & A with Award-winning Novelists
Q & A with award-winning Authors Alex Smith and Tania Hutley: Getting Started as a Creative Writer
Discover answers to burning questions about creative writing:
How to find time to write on top of a day job • How to fire up creativity • How to get over rejection by publishers • The importance of a writing buddy or writers’ circle • How to get published for the first time • The value of self-publishing • Submitting to agents and publishers worldwide • Does the increasing popularity of audiobooks affect the way you write? • What to do if you keep getting work rejected • Is it realistic to be a full-time writer? • How much do you write for your reader and genre? • How to get past the first page/chapter • How much plotting and planning is required • Should you use Scrivener? • Top writing tip for aspiring writers
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Q & A's with Award-winning Authors and Tutors
Spotlight On Rosemary Hepözden
Rosemary Hepözden has three decades of editing, writing and teaching experience. She is the author of three nonfiction books, and has a fourth book due
Spotlight On Author Lisa Lazarus
Lisa Lazarus is a freelance journalist for a variety of publications, including Men’s Health, Femina, Psychologies, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Femina, Healthy Pregnancy and the Mail &
Spotlight On Author Helen Brain
Meet Author and Writing Tutor Extraordinaire, Helen Brain Helen Brain is the author of over 60 books for children, an adult memoir and many short
Spotlight On Copywriting Tutor At The Writers College: Mandy Speechly
Mandy Speechly has worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry for over fifteen years for leading international advertising agencies on a range of different
Q & A With Award-Winning Novelist Sonny Whitelaw
Sonny Whitelaw has enjoyed a successful career as a writer for more than thirty years. Her work as a photojournalist has appeared in dozens of
Spotlight On Writing Coach Course Tutor, Susan Williams
Susan Williams has been the managing director of Prose & Comms – a communications company – for over a decade. She has also tutored the
Spotlight On Karen Jeynes – By Kyle Keegan
Karen Jeynes is a well-known, award-winning playwright whose work includes “Laying Blame”, “sky too big”, “Don’t Mention Sex”, “Kiss Kiss”, “The Happy Factory”, “I’ll Have
A Writer’s Inner Workings: Andrew Salomon
Andrew Salomon is the author of the novels The Chrysalis (Oxford University Press) and Tokoloshe Song (Random House Umuzi). His writing was shortlisted for the Terry Pratchett First
All About Journalism
6 Vital Apps To Rapidly Transform Your Writing
Boost your web writing career with these powerful apps. We as 21st century writers are lucky to have an arsenal of online tools at our
Time Management For Journalists: From An Ayurvedic Perspective
Life as a freelance journalist can get a little hectic. There is a lot to juggle between sending out query letters, researching, interviewing, writing, and
Should You Specialise In A Niche as a Freelance Writer?
Should you market yourself as a writer of all topics (a generalist), or rather focus on one topic? Which choice will bring you more assignments
Why You Need These 5 Apps To Improve Your Web Writing Career
Web writing is an increasingly popular specialism for writers, but it’s also highly competitive. I’m sharing my top free and most useful apps that have
Writing Tips from Around the World
These essays on writing are written by writers from around the globe. Read the best writing advice that they have ever received.
The Best Writing Advice: Why Do I Write?
BY RINA BESTER My life was a mess: children grown up, husband retired. In the background, an unnerving prodding from my unfulfilled dreams begged me to
What Kind of Writer Are You: Gardener or Architect?
BY TRI NGUYEN I am a gardener. Well, I am not a gardener by trade per se, but a gardener by style. That is the
The Best Writing Tip I’ve Ever Received: Forget about Plot
BY ALANA BETH DAVIES Plot was always my downfall, my weak spot, my Achilles heel – you get the picture. Description, I was okay with:
You Can’t Be an Imposter Because I Am
BY KRISTINE LACO Sheena wasn’t a writer, but she gave the best writing advice. She was my instructor at a cognitive behavioural therapy group. ‘What
Emotions: My Tool for Writing
BY GEETHA RANGANATHAN Sitting at the city library in Parramatta, I asked myself what drove me to write. As the clouds passed by, I realized
Best Writing Tip: Find Your Sound
BY SHAYNA LEWIS My music career ended at age 15. I’d just finished my second year of high school. As a music student, I’d been
Top Writing Tip: Cook for One Person
BY FATEMEH EBRAHIMI If, like me, you’re a woman in a traditional family and society, whether you’re working or not, you must do the housework.
Be Like Great Uncle Ferdy – My Writing Hero
BY TONY OSWICK When I was growing up, I wanted to be just like Great Uncle Ferdy. My mum was his only living relative and,
Best Writing Tip: Fail Better
BY TOM BENTLEY When I first started sending article queries out in the eighties, callow youth that I was, I sent them to all the
The Best Writing Tip I Ever Received Was Not to Write
BY RUSSELL MICKLER The best writing tip I ever received was not to write. It began with an essay, a critique of Chaucer’s ‘The Miller’s
Not Having the Time to Write Makes Me Angry
By KIM PATTON Because my stories keep my heart pounding at night with the possibility of it all, when I can’t get words on paper,
Best Writing Tip: Learn to Write Garbage
BY SARAH KELLEHER For me, writing used to move in cycles. First is the inspired phase. I’d put my laptop by my favourite window, wear
Let Nothing Stop Your Writing
BY CHARLIE CY ‘The writer’s only responsibility is to his art. He will be completely ruthless if he is a good one. He has a
It’ll Never Be Perfect
BY PATRICIA A. NUGENT As I grappled with my father’s volatile behaviour, hoping he’d change as a result of his infirmity, his hospice worker consoled
The Old Stump Story
BY DAKOTA LOVE My writing journey began when I was a wee girl of four years old. I wrote a story about a Native American
Darling, Will You Be My Downfall?
BY DENARII PETERS Make ready your scalpel, sword or knife – even your pistol if you prefer – but whatever weapon you do choose keep
Is Writing Your ‘Ikigai’?
Can you believe it’s already February? How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? If they’re already falling by the wayside, perhaps they weren’t the
Face Challenges, Take Risks and Write About Them
BY ROBERT B. ROBESON If I’d wanted an easy life, I could have taken up quantum physics, brain surgery or attempted to open a McDonald’s
Best Writing Tip: Just Get On With It
BY SIOBHAN MURPHY Writing. It’s hard. Everyone who writes has been told this more times than the word count of The Lord of the Rings.
Best Writing Advice: Allow All the Parts of Your Life in Your Writing
Spiegel im Spiegel BY PETRA HILGERS If you’ve ever read H C Anderson’s fairytale Die Schneekönigin – which I played endlessly on our record player
Best Writing Advice: Show Me
BY KRISTIN HOYT My numb, icy fingers grasp the frozen metal handle. Whoosh! A burst of warmth wraps around me like a familiar hug as
The Best Writing Tip: Cut with a Razor
BY AMELIA RAY Don’t ask me where but once I read that Keith Richards reportedly has a unique songwriting approach. Supposedly, he writes down every
My Mother-In-Law could be an Orc
By Taryn Hochstrasser During my last year of high school, I wrote an essay picked from one of the given topics. I don’t really remember
The Only Failing is Never Trying!
By Helen Aitchison Our lives are riddled with self-doubt. Some more than others. We worry, analyse and focus on the negative. ‘I can’t do it!’
Web Writing Tips and Tools
How to Grow Your Social Network as a Freelance Writer
Sure, being a freelance writer has its perks, but one of the not-so-positive aspects is that it can be a lonely lifestyle if you let
Build Your Brand with Powerful Web Writing
Explore the importance of web writing to build and maintain a strong brand presence online with three key tips. There is no doubt that the
How to Find Ideas for Articles & Speeches
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Six Top Tips for B2C Copywriting
What is B2C copywriting? In contrast to business-to-business (B2B) copywriting, business-to-consumer (B2C) copywriting is the development of copy material for companies that sell directly to
Great Writing For Facebook: 3 Tips To Help Your Posts Get Read
Writing for Facebook seems like the most natural thing in the world for many people, but look a little closer, and you’ll see there’s a strategy
Pros and Cons of Working Remotely as a Freelance Writer
Many people are only now hearing these buzz words: ‘digital nomad’ and ‘remote worker’. But for others, they have been living this lifestyle for years,
Write First, Revise Later
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Travel Writing Advice
Can You Make A Living From Travel Writing? We Ask Travel Writer Gabi Logan
Travel writing is a dream job for many aspiring writers. But can you really make a living at it? DONNA DAILEY chats with Gabi Logan,
Travel Writing From Home
Overseas adventures face an uncertain future after the COVID-19 pandemic. ANDREW EARL-PEACOCK explores ways you can keep your inner wanderer satisfied while staying local. “Travel
Tailor Your Travel Writing For A Millennial Market
With free travel sites coming under fire for fake news, respected travel outlets need to cater for a Millennial market more than ever.
10 Travel Writing Tips Writers Must Know
Award-winning writers Julienne du Toit and Chris Marais have travelled the world side-by-side writing travel articles for more than 20 years. They answer essential questions
Tips For Aspiring Travel-Writer-Photographers
These days travel editors accept articles for publication based on the merits of your writing and the quality of your photos. Here’s how to take the best shots for success.
Creating Your Niche As A Travel Writer
How do you follow your passion for travel, and make a living from it at the same time? Sometimes you need a little creative thinking
8 Essential Apps To Boost Your Travel Writing Career
Anyone can share their travel stories on the Web. However, it is the quality of your writing, editing and photos that distinguish a professional from the run-of-the-mill tourist.
Here are eight apps to help you become the most efficient digital nomad.
Writing On The Move: A Motorhomer’s Top Tips For Travel Writers
Writer JUNE RICHARDSON shares the secrets to successful travel writing from the backseat of her motorhome. What can be a better life for a travel
Know Your Writing Rights
Copyright Confusion?
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Copyright Essentials for Writers
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Copyright Office Basics – by The Copyright Office
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How To Avoid Copyright Infringement
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Copyright Q & A For Journalists
What Is Copyright? Copyright law protects the works of artists, and prevents others from publishing, profiting from or proffering an original creative work as if
How to Keep Writing
What is holding you back from being the writer you want to be?
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Just Hit Send
By AMY MULLIS The Enter key is a dragon with sharp claws and teeth that drip the blood of those who dared to trespass. It
Time Management For Journalists – Why Do We Procrastinate?
With social media and dozens of other wonderful distractions filtering in and out of our daily lives, is it any wonder that we find it
What Stops You from Writing?
Fear, self-doubt, procrastination, waiting for perfect conditions – there are so many reasons why we put off getting started on our writing dreams.
At The Writers College, we help writers reach their goals, by encouraging a daily writing routine and removing the doubts from the writing process.
Latest Apps for Writers
The Best Apps and Tools for Writers
Writers today have it easier than writers of yesteryear. Gone are the days when you head to the library if you need to do research.
6 Time-Saving Apps For Travel Writers
Six apps to help travel writers organise, plan and execute their day. Travel writers rely on technology – even in the most remote places on
Why You Need These 5 Apps To Improve Your Web Writing Career
Web writing is an increasingly popular specialism for writers, but it’s also highly competitive. I’m sharing my top free and most useful apps that have
8 Essential Apps To Boost Your Travel Writing Career
Anyone can share their travel stories on the Web. However, it is the quality of your writing, editing and photos that distinguish a professional from
Five Apps To Kick-Start Your Magazine Journalism Career
While your Moleskine may never go out fashion, technology changes at a rapid pace. These five apps get you to work more effectively and can
6 Vital Apps To Rapidly Transform Your Writing
Boost your web writing career with these powerful apps. We as 21st century writers are lucky to have an arsenal of online tools at our
USER-FRIENDLY APPS FOR TECHNOPHOBE JOURNALISTS
If you are a person who fears or dislikes new apps, and you also happen to be a journalist, then this article is for you.