Write into the Woods
Writing Lessons From…

Writing Lessons From…

Feeling a little lost in the woods of storytelling?

When I was a kid, whenever a bestselling author was asked how to get into writing, they would reply, ‘You should read, read, read.’

I disagree.

Read, read, reading makes you a reader, not a writer.

Plus stories are not just written. They are told, they are acted, they are visual and audible, told through pictures and dance and song and tears.

If you want to be a writer, you should CONSUME stories.

Listen to podcasts and audiobooks, watch TV and films, go to the theatre and comedy clubs, grab a console and play games, and yes, read books and magazines. Whatever suits you.

Writing Lessons From… breaks down the stories I’m consuming (admittedly, mostly TV and film), looking for the lessons we as writers can take from it. The good, the bad, the funny, the just-can’t-get-it-out-of-my-head.

You can consume Writing Lessons From… in the form of an article (blog post) and blogcast episode (podcast!).
Don’t forget to follow the podcast whenever you listen to yours, and subscribe to the mailing list below for magical Writing Lessons From… stuff coming soon for storytellers like you.

Stories are subjective creatures. The lessons I take from a piece of writing might not be the same that you take, but that’s all part of the fun.

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    Who the hell am I and why is there so much cake?

    A woman who you wouldn't think is 40, with red hair and a green woolly hat, looking over her shoulder to the woodland path and whatever might be lurking there. She's smiling, so it's probably safe.

    I’m Jenny and, like a lot of people, I used to work in marketing. Before that, I studied for a degree in archaeology with the idea of working for the British Museum. All because a teacher once told me to keep writing as a hobby, because writing wouldn’t earn me money, and I believed them!
    I’m now trying to prove that teacher (and that naive kid) wrong.

    I’ve been writing stories since I could hold a pencil and spell the word ‘the’ and finally figured out the spelling of ‘because’. My heart belongs to fantasy, but I’m the author of fantasy, romance and cosy mystery novels. An Essex girl, I now live in the South West of England with my Labrador, who is very anxious but would like to know if that’s a biscuit in your pocket?

    Also, I like cake. A lot. Chocolate, please. Thanks.