• Planning your novel? Or pantsing?
    Teacher Writing

    Planning your novel? Or pantsing?

    I’m often asked whether a writer should plan their novel, or how they should plan their novel, or, if they plan their novel, how much they should plan their novel, and many other questions about planning, pantsing (writing by the seat of your pants), and “plantsing” (somewhere in between planning and pantsing).

  • What is poetry? Definition, characteristics and types
    Teacher Writing

    What is poetry? Definition, characteristics and types

    Poetry, a genre that captivates with its beauty and emotions, holds a special place in literature. This article explores the essence of poetry, delving into its characteristics, types and origins. Join us on this poetic journey as we unravel the depths and significance of this writing form. What is Poetry? Poetry is an enchanting realm of artistic expression that penetrates the depths of human emotions and unveils profound thoughts. It serves as a channel through which individuals can navigate the intricate landscapes of the human experience. Definition of Poetry Defining poetry is akin to capturing the intangible essence of beauty. It is a genre of literature that defies conventional boundaries, encompassing a myriad of styles, forms, and thematic explorations. Poetry transcends the limitations of straightforward prose, weaving together words, rhythm, and imagery to create a tapestry of emotions, experiences, and perspectives.

  • 9 Benefits of Journaling and How to Start
    Teacher Writing

    9 Benefits of Journaling and How to Start

    Journaling is the practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a notebook or journal. While it may seem like a simple activity, the benefits of journaling are huge. Here are nine ways you can benefit from journaling:

  • 5 Tips on Writing Flash Fiction for Children
    PLUS Teacher Writing

    5 Tips on Writing Flash Fiction for Children

    Discover top tips on how to write flash fiction that will capture a child’s attention Some of the best stories are about events that really happened. Whether you were with a friend, family member, or random companion at the time, a fun, unexpected adventure can inspire an excellent tale for children. All you need to do is use a handful of creative tools to fully explore the possibilities of a child's imagination. Catarina Sobral (@catarina_sobral) is a Portuguese illustrator and author of children's picture books. She knows the secrets to telling an unforgettable story, capturing the reader's attention, and encouraging them to reflect on some of the most interesting moments in their lives.

  • 7 Online Writing Courses for Crafting Great Stories From Scratch

    7 Online Writing Courses for Crafting Great Stories From Scratch

    Unleash your inner writer and discover the key components of drafting a novel with our beginners’ writing courses Writing is an exercise that enables you to connect with yourself and with others. Through the written word, we can convey our thoughts and emotions without being limited by space and time. Stories and narratives are a powerful way of packaging our ideas so that they resonate with others. If you are looking for resources to help you overcome writer’s block, you have come to the right place. Below, we have curated a list of seven online courses that will motivate you to start writing stories, whether they be novels, short stories, imaginary, or nonfiction. To learn more about each course, click on the titles in red and discover top tips from professional writers.

  • What Is an Inspiration Board and How to Create One for Your Bullet Journal

    What Is an Inspiration Board and How to Create One for Your Bullet Journal

    Discover this creative technique for organizing your ideas and defining your bullet journaling style When starting a new bullet journal, it can be difficult to kick your creativity into gear. However, certain techniques can guide you in making creative decisions and help you overcome creative block. Creating an inspiration board is a great way to organize your ideas and gather your reference images, says journalist, expert in creative journaling, and creator of the stationery brand Little Hannah, Chris Bravo (@littlehannah) from Madrid. In this post, she shares tips on how to design your own and get the most out of it.

  • Free Top Tips Guide for Writing Blog Posts
    Teacher Writing

    Free Top Tips Guide for Writing Blog Posts

    Discover top tips for improving your blog content, building a strong community and connecting with your target audience Emma Jane Palin (@emmajanepalin) is an award-winning blogger, writer, interior stylist, and digital marketing specialist. She knows the importance of building a community around your blog and how to best reach out and connect with your target audience. The beauty of a blog is that it’s personal, but for your business, you might not want it to seem as if it’s just you. The real focus when it comes to writing should be about bringing your voice to the forefront. Do you want to be formal or passive, educational or inspiring? Emma has prepared a brilliant guide to help you work through your blog posts methodically.

  • 7 Writers to Inspire You and Keep You Writing

    7 Writers to Inspire You and Keep You Writing

    A selection of authors recommended by writer and professor Shaun Levin South African professor Shaun Levin (@shaun_levin), the author of the short story collection A Year of Two Summers and the novel Seven Sweet Things, believes that inspiration is everywhere. With more than 20 years as a creative writing teacher, he is living proof: he has taught in schools, schools, art galleries, bookstores, cafes, parks, a cemetery, and even in a zoo. In addition to teaching and writing, Levin edits books and literary magazines and has created a series of writing maps to inspire other writers.

  • The First Steps to Tell Children's Stories

    The First Steps to Tell Children's Stories

    Illustrator and author Estelí Meza presents you with an exercise to create and organize the initial ideas of any story Estelí Meza (@estelimu) is an author and illustrator of children's books, book covers and magazines, working acrossMexico, Spain, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. She is an expert in creating engaging stories and has worked for publishers such as Scholastic, Anaya, Fondo de Cultura Económica, Kalimat, and Penguin Random House. She has created an exercise which will help you learn successful storytelling steps, regardless of where your story is destined for.