The 10 opposing character traits of highly creative people
Psychologist and author of the bestselling book Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, thinks that highly creative people aren’t like us. But he doesn’t buy into the idea of the creative genius either. People who are highly creative don’t have special minds, but they do have...
The creative power of walking and exercise
Creative types - especially writers - love a good walk. Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf were avid city strollers whilst Wallace Stevens wrote his poetry walking to work: “I write best when I can concentrate and I do that best whilst walking,” he said. Modern-day...
How to ask for feedback on your writing
Whether you're sharing in a group, asking a friend, or meeting a professional one-to-one, asking for feedback is a test of any writer's mettle but there are ways to make the process less harrowing. Here are six tips on getting it right. 1. Check your intention If the...
Top 5 Productivity Books for Writers
I’m a productivity nerd - nothing delights me more than a how-to guide on getting organised and getting things done. Over the years I’ve gathered a collection of titles that have inspired me to start writing, helped me deal with distraction, and offered advice on...
10 tips to learn from a creative writing lecturer
Some people enjoy writing for the sake of it whilst others want to develop and improve. If you fall into the latter category then read this. Novelist, creative writing lecturer, author of the best selling The Creative Writing Coursebook, Julia Bell is one of the UK's...
How to write for radio: 7 tips by a BBC Radio 4 commissioner
Writing for radio is a format that aspiring scriptwriters often overlook in favour of TV and film - a far tougher prospect. Whether you're interested in writing drama or comedy, plays or sketches, BBC Radio 4 commissions hundreds of hours of original material every...
Oliver Burkeman’s 10 tips for a productive and happy writing life
Journalist and writer Oliver Burkeman says that researching writing habits has made him an 'amateur expert' on how to schedule creativity into an over busy and overwhelmed life. He shared his top advice on how to get creative work done while also being kind to...
Daily rituals and quirky habits: Q&A with writer Mason Currey
For 18 months, Mason Currey carved out time in his day to write a book about how writers and creatives over the past 100 years have carved out times in the day to do creative work. The result was the best selling Daily Rituals first published in 2013. We ask him to...
How to get funding to write
If you thought getting funding to write a novel sounds too good to be true, think again. Award-winning journalist, aspiring novelist and grant winner Heloise Wood shares her experience and top tips on applying for - and receiving - funding. So you’ve decided to write...
Practice makes perfect: training writers to write
Last week I presented at the annual conference of the National Association for Writers in Education. I discussed training writers in the practice of writing, whether it can be taught and if there is a role for technology in helping writers to develop their habits. The...
A guide to writing morning pages
Morning pages hold a fascination for writers. Devotees like Francesca Chessa swear by them as a channel for creativity. Whereas time-pressed would-be writers like me look on in bafflement and wonder how to find the time to undertake such a practice. I go back to...
How to write like Anthony Trollope, the Grandfather of Tracking
Anthony Trollope wrote over sixty books whilst working for the General Post Office – famously introducing the post box to Britain. Since its publication in 1883 his autobiography has inspired writers and incited jealousy. I take a closer look at his awesome levels of...