I’ve been writing speculative fiction for about six months now, and very much focusing on the short story. The length of these new stories varies, but on the whole they’re between 4,000 to 6,000 words, the perfect length for submitting to magazines. But I have one that I keep returning to, and it keeps growingContinue reading “Self-doubt and the short story”
Tag Archives: Creative writing
How to stay faithful (or not) to your story
Last week a student asked if it’s problematic when the original idea or prompt for a story doesn’t seem to connect (or is entirely absent) from the finished piece. The student is on a formal writing program, and was coming at this from the perspective of having her work graded, but it got me thinkingContinue reading “How to stay faithful (or not) to your story”
The Duality of Being Creative
I’ve always felt that my compulsion to write has been a blessing in my life, taking me to unexpected places, having surprising thoughts, and meeting some thoroughly magnificent people. But this blessing can also be a challenge to navigate, not least because living a writer’s life often means inhabiting opposite states of mind, sometimes simultaneously. Continue reading “The Duality of Being Creative”
What’s the best way to learn how to write?
This question comes from Aniko Madi, who is embarking on writing a novel of speculative fiction: — What is the best way to learn how to write? Should I do a course? Do I need to go to university? Is it possible to teach myself? This is a great question, Aniko, and the short answer isContinue reading “What’s the best way to learn how to write?”
Feeling the fear of reinvention
‘…if you are writing without zest, without gusto, without love, without fun, you are only half a writer.’ Ray Bradbury I’ve had to reinvent myself many times over the years, sometimes in a way of my own choosing, sometimes it was forced upon me. However it happened, these transitions have always evolved into positive change,Continue reading “Feeling the fear of reinvention”
The Unwritable
1.You want to write but you cannot write. Your body objects. Your shoulder throbs, the pain radiating down your arm to lodge in your elbow, across your shoulder to fizzle up your neck, itchy heat into your jaw, your gums, your ear. Your body is telling you to stop moving your fingers across the keyboard.Continue reading “The Unwritable”
Beginning Again
It has been five years and two months since my last post. I try not to feel too bad about this, as I was drawn away by novel writing, working two teaching jobs, moving house a multitude of times and launching my children into the world of adulthood. Still, I feel bad about it. Continue reading “Beginning Again”
The Glitter of the Grade
It’s that time of year again. The shops are full, the fairy lights are going up, and my students are handing in their submissions before going home for the holidays. For the next couple of weeks writing may be low on the list of priorities, but when we come back in January, thoughts often turnContinue reading “The Glitter of the Grade”
A Satnav For Life
The last few months I’ve found myself wishing for some kind of device that will tell me the right path to take, some sort of satnav for life, if you like. Whatever you want to do career-wise there will be decisions to make, moments where the path ahead forks with no way of knowing whichContinue reading “A Satnav For Life”
Listen… Can You Hear The Stories?
As anyone who read last week’s post will know I have recently come back from three days at the MIX Conference, run by The Literary Platform and Bath Spa University and showcasing projects that combine writing and digital technology. I’m still in recovery and need some kind of post-conference rehab program to integrate me back intoContinue reading “Listen… Can You Hear The Stories?”
Sally Gander 