Free Writing Tips and Expert Advice
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Popular Stories
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!’
Best Writing Advice: Don’t Write It, Be It
By Chase D. Cartwright That’s it. That’s the best advice I can give. Don’t write it, be it. Don’t live your life to become a
Best Writing Advice: Simplicity is Key
By Baks Wa Muthamia English is neither my first nor my second nor my third language. It comes in at a distant fourth! But I loved
Your Scraps Will Be Your Treasure Later
By Laura Borjas There is a challenge every writer goes through – one might call it a ‘rite of passage’ – where you smear your
Best Writing Advice: Embrace Your Craft Completely
By Sujana Vangala For years, I lived in a space of hesitancy, in Plan B’s and safety nets. In the same way, my writing survived
Our Students' Successes
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tae Richardson Talks About Her Writing And Publishing Successes
Tae Richardson completed the Basic and Advanced Creative Writing Courses, as well as the Literary Short Story Course. We follow up with her on her
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
Graduate Success Story: An Interview with Trish Nicholson
Trish Nichsolson completed the Short Story Writing Course at NZ Writers College in 2010. We tracked her progress in the literary world. An Interview with
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
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
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
Catching Up With Copy-Editor, Lesley Wyldbore
Copy-editing is a vital yet often overlooked part of the writing process. Effective copy-editing adds polish to writing, ensuring clarity and removing errors that a
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
Writers College Success Story: Award-winning Novelist Martin Steyn
The dark side of human nature holds a certain allure for acclaimed crime fiction author, Martin Steyn. AWARD-WINNING NOVELIST MARTIN STEYN – SUCCESS STORY Martin
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
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
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 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
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 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 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
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 Author Helen Brain
Helen Brain is the author of 30 books for children, an adult memoir and many short stories. In 1998 she won an ATKV award for
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
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
How is Technology and Artificial Intelligence Aiding (or Threatening) the Writing Profession?
Over the past few years, technology has crept into the various facets of writing, aiding in its creation and its consumption. But with the advancement
Why Locals Know Best In Travel Writing
Take your travel blogging from one-dimensional personal accounts to stories interwoven with local perspectives and authentic insights. Unless you’re in the Arctic Circle and harp
Exposing The 5 Top Travel Writing Myths
You might think that travel writers explore the world for free, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Levonne Apesy separates the fantasy from
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.
Best Writing Advice: Aim for Rejections
By Dorotea Saputo The best writing advice I’ve ever received came from my grandfather who bragged about never having read a book in his life.
Best Writing Advice: Don’t Write It, Be It
By Chase D. Cartwright That’s it. That’s the best advice I can give. Don’t write it, be it. Don’t live your life to become a
How to Overcome Self-Doubt as a Writer
Here are some tips on kicking your inner critic out the door, so you can get back to doing what you love most, writing. As
Best Writing Tip: Don’t Wait for The Muse
I have always been highly susceptible to anything that promised I could become a writer. I believed in magical notebooks, charmed pens, lucky knickers,
Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?
By NEELESH RATHI You shouldn’t be afraid of writing garbage—or of other people seeing it. But, what if it’s not garbage? What if it’s not
Self-help 101: Build Trust in One Easy Step
By KIRSTY MAC DOUGALL ‘Trust in the writing process.’ ‘Trust in your innate and untapped writing abilities.’ ‘Trust in yourself.’ Great advice. Tony Robbins would
Best Writing Advice: Give Your Characters Life
By Sufia Aleia For a story to exist, it must have characters. For characters to exist, they must be given life. After all, lifeless, inanimate
Writing Is a Game for Optimists
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” This piece of wisdom came from an American baseball player long deceased.
Pretend You Know What You’re Doing
By CARTER LAPPIN You’re on a bus, about to head up the side of a winding mountain road. You’re trying to get comfortable in your
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!’
Best Writing Advice: Embrace Your Craft Completely
By Sujana Vangala For years, I lived in a space of hesitancy, in Plan B’s and safety nets. In the same way, my writing survived
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
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
We Write from Our Scars
By SARAH DITTMORE “It’s a great story,” my teacher acquiesced. I beamed with the smile of an over-achiever receiving the much longed-for validation of a
What Memories Don’t Convey
By DAMON CROCKER He moved the bodies of the fallen soldiers to a central location. No, that’s not right, I thought as I violently hit
Best Writing Tip: How to Get Away with ‘Murder’
By Tarumbidzwa Chirume I was 15 when my English teacher, Mrs Williams, told me to commit murder. It was Speech Day, and we all had
Your Scraps Will Be Your Treasure Later
By Laura Borjas There is a challenge every writer goes through – one might call it a ‘rite of passage’ – where you smear your
Advice for Writers: Rejection is Just a ‘No’
By Kathleen Marple Kalb Rejection is bad, but the fear of it is worse. Too many good writers are afraid to put their work out
Perfidious Passion: Why You Should Bleed Out For Your Writing Instead
By AIMAN SHAHID Take a wound as a starting point; it doesn’t need to be a dramatic blood-splattered Monty Pythonesque affair. It can even
Best Writing Advice: Write About Things You Can Drop
When I was a child, I understood grief because I’d had an elephant cookie jar on my shelf that was missing a lid. I’d watched
Web Writing Tips and Tools
What is holding you back from being the writer you want to be?
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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
Overcome Your Fear of Publishing your First Blog in 5 Steps
Publishing your first blog can be daunting. Here are some tips to help you overcome the fear of getting your debut blog article published. BY
Why the Editor is Not the Enemy
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Why You Need to Learn to Write For The Web
Entrepreneurs and small business owners need to know how to write for the web in order to broadcast their marketing message and build their brand.
The Advertising Industry Has Changed. Here’s What Copywriters Need To Know
The Advertising Industry Has Changed. Here’s What Copywriters Need To Know by MANDY SPEECHLY For most of the twentieth century, television was the preferred channel
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
Travel Writing Advice
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
Exposing The 5 Top Travel Writing Myths
You might think that travel writers explore the world for free, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Levonne Apesy separates the fantasy from
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
Why Locals Know Best In Travel Writing
Take your travel blogging from one-dimensional personal accounts to stories interwoven with local perspectives and authentic insights. Unless you’re in the Arctic Circle and harp
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
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
Why the Editor is Not the Enemy
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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
I Write to Boost My Mental Health: Here’s What I’ve Learnt
As more and more people are talking about ways to cope with mental health, writing has become a popular option. This is not surprising since
Write Your Novel in 30 Days: A 10-Step Guide
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Write Your Nonfiction Book: No More Excuses
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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
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
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
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.
