Writing Lessons

What do you want to write about? Well my life of course (writers say). And I nod because of course that is right. But it has to be about...

Do you have a burning desire to publish a book? Cape Town-based writing coach and literary agent Sarah Bullen offers simple and practical...

So many of us have this deep heart desire to write, but don’t know how to act on it. So you want to write – but you don’t do it. And all...

Here's a good list of questions to ask your hero Your age? Nationality? Hair colour? Style? Age? How do you dress? Best feature? How...

Got a manuscript that you are sitting on? Here is an updated list of all the publishing houses actively looking for books. Romance!...

The first draft of your book is not something you are going to want to show anyone. Sorry! As much as you have sweated and toiled over...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OArGa8x2nEg

Why isn't it selling? Who should be making it sell? Why isn't the publisher doing more? Why are there only three copies at the bookshop...

This word 'expert' comes up a lot when working with memoir or non-fiction books. It comes from the question - am I actually qualified to...

Where will your book sit? Remember your first step in non-fiction writing is to be clear on your genre. Find your main genre and...

"And I mean to hear ye groan like that again. And to moan and sob, even though you dinna wish to, for ye canna help it. I mean to make...

Making readers CARE about your character is not actually a mystery. It is most often a product of good dialogue and good plotting. I have...

There are a few key places where it is just so easy to get stuck as a writer. You may get stuck in all of them. But if you want to move...

​I have been doing a bit of a roadshow presenting some new authors to publishers both in locally and globally. I also use the opportunity...

Now if you have been following my steps you will have completed step 1. That means you have printed and marked up your entire manuscript...

OK so this post is assuming that you have competed first draft of your book. It is going to take you through the next few steps that you...

​A smoking author biography is an essential part of a book proposal. Writing a good one - that sums up your personality and book in a...

How do you find your true voice when you write? I am so often asked this. It is hard to find what you genuinely feel is YOU. Our brains...

How do you find your true voice when you write? I am so often asked this. It is hard to find what you genuinely feel is YOU. Our brains...

​Losing some work due to a computer glitch is a frustrating moment. Losing your entire book is a crushing event. Okay it wasn't an entire...