Category: Drafting
-
The Myth of the Big Push
The Myth of the Big Push Every writer has fantasised about it at some point: that glorious, uninterrupted stretch of time when you finally “catch up.” The long weekend. The holiday break. The retreat in a rustic cabin with nothing but your laptop, coffee, and a roaring fire. In this fantasy, you write like a…
-
You Don’t Find Your Voice, You Build It
Writers talk a lot about “finding your voice,” like it’s some lost object waiting under the couch cushions. As if one day you’ll stumble across it fully formed—Ah, there it is! My voice!—and from then on, the words will flow perfectly. It doesn’t work like that. Your voice isn’t something you find. It’s something you build.
-
How Do I… (You Do The Work)
A lot of writers get stuck waiting for someone to give them the right tip, the perfect answer that will fix their story instantly. That doesn’t exist.
-
Your Work Should Stand By Itself
If you need to explain your story after people read it, something’s not right. There’s work still to be done. That’s a harsh truth, but it’s one worth facing.
-
Involve (all) the Senses
Your readers live in their bodies, just like your characters do. If you want your story to feel real, you need to give us more than just what we can see. The creak of floorboards. The prickle of sweat. The tang of salt in the air. The feel of fabric under fingertips. The stinging burn…
-
The Confidence Game
There’s a tricky balance we all face as writers: the tension between self-belief and the desire for validation. At its best, writing is an act of confidence—saying, this matters enough to write down. That confidence is fragile and can crack early, especially if you share too soon or ask for opinions before you’ve even figured…
-
Your Idea Isn’t Worth Anything (Until You Tell the Story)
This topic arises frequently in writing communities, especially among those just starting out. “I have this amazing idea. Do you think it’s good?” “Would you read a story where…?” “Is this too cliché?” And, my personal favourite: “Has this been done before?” (Answer: Probably. But not like you’d do it) Here’s the truth: Your idea…
-
Leave Yourself a Trail
Scrolling back and fixing things interrupts flow. Here’s how to avoid it.
-
Your First Draft Is Not Your Book
The first draft’s job is to get the story out of you. It’s not a book, not yet, but it’s the start of what your book will be.
-
Adverbs Are Seasoning, Not Flavour
The truth is, adverbs aren’t inherently bad. They’re just misunderstood. The real problem isn’t their existence, it’s their overuse.