- Advertisement -
Creative Writing
Award-winning author Derek Landy shows how one bright idea can unexpectedly turn into a writing career. Read about his journey
Sarah Lotz: Award-winning author of ‘The Three’ and ‘Day Four’ (Hodder Publishers) BY ALEX SMITH I can remember
It’s pretty alarming how New Year’s resolutions can dash into hiding the minute we’re back at work, and back
“Every morning between 9 and 12 I go to my room and sit before a piece of paper. Many
“I’ll do it if you do it.” “OK. Let’s do it together.” And so I started writing. It had been
The right level of language can make or break a book for children. Learn what kinds of English to avoid
The NZ Writers College 2020 Short Story Competition is open for entries from beginner writers in New Zealand! Now in
There is no need to write a heavy-duty novel, only to fall into a depression after your first rejection
Is jou skryfstuk uiteindelik kant en klaar en jy gereed om dit aan ʼn uitgewer te stuur? Jippie! Maar voordat
WEB WRITING
Your Stories
BY NOHLEE CLOETE On my mobile phone, I have a picture saved of the urban English word ’Rastrophiliopustrocity’. It has eight
I have escaped into a vast variety of worlds of my own making for as long as I can
Scribbler’s Progress – my writing journey by Trish Nicholson My most productive period as a storyteller was between the
MY daughter has wrapped a scarf around her head as if to hold her brains together. She is writing
BY DAVID WHITAKER My first book was self-published. I wrote every word and illustrated it myself. I also cut
My writing journey leaped ahead when a truck smashed into my car at a traffic light, crumpling the back
BY ANNA STROUD I was in my fourth year at university, studying towards a Bachelors degree in Journalism
BY BEATRICE ELLIS As the writer on the radio was being interviewed, I heard her say, “Think of something
My favourite singer once told an interviewer that he started singing at the age of four. He said that by
By SARAH KELLEHER For me, writing used to move in cycles. First, the inspired phase. I’d put my laptop by
Q & A WITH AWARD-WINNING WRITERS
Mandy Speechly has worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry for over fifteen years for leading international advertising agencies
When Lotta received her ‘Local Hero’ award in 2014, she celebrated it with lime and soda rather than bubbly. Lotta
TRUDY DELAMARE asks veteran copy-editor Di Smith if machines can correct errors better than humans in this frank Q &
Susan Williams has been the managing director of Prose & Comms – a communications company – for over a decade.
Fiona Ingram is a multi-award-winning author of adult and children’s fiction. She has won, or been a finalist in, over
BY THABISO SEKGOBELA He made cars.co.za one of the most trusted brands in South Africa. He published a book in
Rosemary Hepözden has three decades of editing, writing and teaching experience. She is the author of three nonfiction books, and
He’s the son of New Zealand’s inaugural Poet Laureate and describes himself as a freelance writer and editor.
Alex Smith’s most recent novel ‘Devilskein & Dearlove’ is a YA Fantasy, described by the ‘Sunday Times’ as “a magical
Trending Posts
Apps for Writers
Six apps to help travel writers organise, plan and execute their day. BY CHRIS STRYDOM Travel writers rely on technology
While your Moleskine may never go out fashion, technology changes at a rapid pace. These five apps get you
If you are a person who fears or dislikes new apps, and you also happen to be a journalist,
Boost your web writing career with these powerful apps. BY SARAH LLOYD We as 21st century writers are lucky to
Web writing is an increasingly popular specialism for writers, but it’s also highly competitive. I’m sharing my top free and
Anyone can share their travel stories on the Web. However, it is the quality of your writing, editing and photos
latest posts
Well, it’s all about power, isn’t it? That’s where and why my life intersects the here and how
This competition was discontinued in 2025. Read recent winning entries in our e-anthology ‘The Writers’ Journey’, a free download
Logical flow is one of the trickier writing skills to master, but it is vital for good writing. Here’s a
Finally finished a piece of writing that you want to submit to an editor? Woohoo! But before you hit the
Need some writing inspiration and courage to keep going? Here are wise words from famous writers. “A professional
Here are 11 ways to draw in your reader and keep them hooked. Each one of these ways takes time
For most of the twentieth century, television was the preferred channel for advertisers to promote their goods to the masses.
The plot twist is the writer’s equivalent of magic: a sleight of hand, a puff of smoke and kazam! You
After over a decade of judging thousands of short stories in our national writing competitions, our Writers’ College
In most stories, people talk to each other. Many readers enjoy the “talking bits” the most, and will happily