Category Archives: Writing Tips

Desk Envy: Why Writers Get Jealous

Posted on July 13, 2020 by tthurai

Do you suffer from ‘desk envy’? I experienced it recently after reading a series of author interviews. In each article, the worthy scribe described their favourite writing venue. For instance: “I sit by my pool in the Algarve with a … Continue reading →

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6 Top Tips: How to Stay Calm When Editing

Posted on April 29, 2019 by tthurai

Editing is a well-kept secret – or maybe the skeleton in the cupboard – depending on your view of it. Yet it plays a critical role in whether your book, article or thesis is outstanding or simply average. Having been … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Editing, Editing tips, Fiction, History, self-publishing, The Devil Dancers, women self-publishers, women writers, World War 2, writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Writer’s Stop! 10 tips for getting back in the saddle

Posted on September 10, 2018 by tthurai

We hear a lot about Writer’s Block but never about Writer’s Stop. In my view, you’re far more likely to experience a Stop than a Block to your literary endeavours. Just about anything can constitute a Stop. Illness, bereavement, looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Editing, Editing tips, Motivation, women self-publishers, women writers, writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stop Press! 10 Top Tips for Writing Press Releases

Posted on April 20, 2018 by tthurai

Got news? If you want to announce something to the world – for example, a new product or an event – then you need to get your story out there. But how? Even in the age of social media, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Barley Bread and Cheese, The Devil Dancers, women writers, writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Slobs vs Workaholics: 10 Resolutions for the New Year

Posted on January 1, 2018 by tthurai

It doesn’t matter which category you fall into. Somewhere out there is a resolution that you can keep. The problem for most of us is that many resolutions are of long duration and require a good deal of effort. For that … Continue reading →

Posted in 2018, Archaeology, Christmas, Courses, Crosswords, Culture, exercise, Festivals, Fiction, finances, Food, ghost stories, History, IT, Languages, Learning, MOOC, Movies, New Year, Painting, Pottery, Resolutions, Short stories, writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Inspiration and Writers’ Block: Fact or Fallacy?

Posted on November 15, 2016 by tthurai

The tags ‘inspiration’ and ‘writers’ block’ strike terror into the hearts of writers. However, it is possible to debunk these myths with a little common sense. It is a fallacy that you sit around waiting for inspiration. If we all … Continue reading →

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What Makes a Great Ghost Story? 10 Tips for a Rattling Good Read

Posted on October 24, 2016 by tthurai

Introducing the story: Ghost stories often begin as a fireside entertainment, usually in winter at Christmas or New Year. The narrator is sometimes reluctant to tell his/her story because it is not mere light-hearted entertainment, but the account of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Charles Dickens, ghost stories, Halloween, Henry James, M.R. James, Susan Hill, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Self-Publishing: what I learned from the gurus

Posted on May 26, 2016 by tthurai

Self-publishing has come of age. According to one respected academic, it is now just another arm of the publishing industry. This is one of the inspiring messages that I brought away from the recent Matador self-publishing conference. In this third blog … Continue reading →

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Self-Publishing: 7 ways to get the most from a conference

Posted on May 19, 2016 by tthurai

Having recently attended Matador’s conference on self-publishing, I thought it would be useful to jot down a list of essentials to help you to get the most from a conference whatever the topic. Prep your questions in advance. Why are … Continue reading →

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Self-publishing? Take a tip from Leicester

Posted on May 12, 2016 by tthurai

On the same day that Leicester celebrated its Premier League win, the city also hosted Matador’s annual self-publishing conference. A tenuous connection? Perhaps. But there are similarities between the trials of the football team and the tribulations of the self-publisher. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, publishing, self-publishing, writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments