Do you always fall into the same writing habits? The same tone, the same phrases? You’re in good company. At my lovely Creative Writing class yesterday I was explaining how writers have tics – not facial ones, although perhaps we have them too – the ones...
Happy 1st October! It’s hard to believe that we’re already in the last quarter of the year. Be honest, now. How many of you made some writing resolutions back in January that you still haven’t completed? You’re not the only one. I have a few outstanding… With...
When I started off as a journalist I was fortunate enough to work alongside Mick Brown, a brilliant writer and long-time journalist at London’s Daily Telegraph. He’d read my stories and say, ‘Claire, Cut to the chase here.’ What he meant was, get rid of the...
I’m a great one for New Year’s resolutions. Starting or re-starting a writing project in the first quarter is sensible. You have the rest of the year to get it done. And if you have the right systems in place, you can complete a non-fiction book...
When my new novel was launched at Gleebooks in Sydney last Friday I had the chance to thank and acknowledge some of those people who’ve helped me along the way. Even though it’s just my name on the cover, when you write and complete a...
When I teach writing, I always ask my workshop students how they create a routine for themselves. Here’s what some say: I write for 40 minutes during my lunch break twice a week. I write on the train to work. I stay in and write one evening every...