Have you ever had a day where you don’t feel like writing? Of course you have! It’s normal. We get it too. But we bet you also have this nagging voice inside you that wants to write. Even though you don’t feel like it. It’s good to listen to this voice. Nevertheless, writing can still feel hard. And this is where list writing comes in. You see writing a list feels easy. It feels achievable. It’s quick. And that’s why it’s magic. Here at Derbyshire Writing School we often use list writing as a warm-up for our writing workshops or courses. We love a list! It’s not only fun and easy. It’s got a ..read more

 As writers, ideas can come to us from anywhere: a photo, a conversation we overhear on the bus, a film. These fleeting moments can provide incredible sparks of creativity. Ideas are born when we sit on a train or go on a walk, as we move through our days our thoughts are working on our stories but be careful, these strikes of genius can be easily forgotten – unless you write them down – and that’s where the power of a writer’s journal comes in. But what exactly is a writer’s journal and what can we gain from keeping one? What benefits can it have for our writing? Let’s dive in and explo ..read more

?Are you an idea person? ✍️ Maybe you find yourself buying yet another new notebook for a writing project? ? Or do you find yourself spending hours creating new characters? What about finishing what you start? It’s time to finish your book! We’d love to see you finish that first draft and take the next steps to get your book on the shelves and in your hands. So, what’s stopping you? Why You Are Struggling to Finish Your Book 1. You’re not giving it enough time.  Dabbling with your draft every so often won’t be enough for you to type ‘the end’. You need to commit to your writing on a regu ..read more

Many of us dream of working as a writer. We can picture waking up, drinking coffee, and getting paid for our words. But is this the reality? And what does it really mean to ‘work as a writer’? Working as a writer One of the most wonderful things about writing is that there are so many different definitions of ‘writing’. We could mean journaling, ghostwriting, being a poet, writing non-fiction, it’s endless. But most importantly, it’s personal. This is the same when we think about working as a writer too. From spoken word poetry performances and writing audio drama, teaching creative writing a ..read more

Getting those words down on paper isn’t always easy. There are moments when it can feel like we’re in a fight with ourselves. It can feel like we are battling to find those words, to muster enough creativity to get started, or to keep going. Sometimes, this means we need to take a break. Other times, we may need encouragement. But more often than not, a little dose of inspiration can be just the thing to push us forward. To keep us going. And the best place to find this inspiration? Books, of course. That’s why here at Derbyshire Writing School, we’ve put together a list of five amazing books ..read more

The first time you get your book delivered through the post, the excitement is palpable. The brown envelope has your words inside! You rip open the package and your book is born. It’s real. You can turn the pages. Crease the corners. Hold the story. From an idea to a word document to a fully formatted manuscript, through the magic of the print-on-demand process your words have been turned into a book! A real-life hold-in-your-hands paperback book! There isn’t a feeling like it in the world. Imagine filling your bookshelf at home with your own words. The novel you’ve always dreamed of writing ..read more

Writing about your life can feel daunting. It has the potential to unlock old memories, bring emotions to the surface, and be a revealing process. However, it’s because of these elements that it can also be wonderfully empowering. Here at Derbyshire Writing School, we believe everyone has a story and life writing is one way to get this out and onto the page. ‘Time is passing – we only have one life, but you have an opportunity to remember the details of it.’ – Everyday Storytellers It’s important to remember that nobody else needs to see your life writing if you don’t want them to. It can b ..read more

Is there anything quite as exciting as a good treasure hunt? We can let you into a secret, there are many treasures to be found scattered around Derbyshire. Especially for avid readers and writers searching for their next favourite book. Join us as we take you on a treasure hunt full of independent bookshops, and cafes to help you find your treasure and the perfect place to devour the new book that you’ve discovered on your trip through Derbyshire. “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island. ” – by Walt Disney How To Use The Treasure Map You can star ..read more

We can spend hours writing pages of wonderful description, create funny dialogue and build characters everyone could fall in love with, but if we don’t have a narrative structure alongside this, we don’t have a story. It might not feel quite as imaginative as other aspects of creative writing, such as developing our protagonist, or world-building for example, but structure has a key role to play. Alongside the other essentials, such as character and plot, structure is crucial. But why exactly is structure so important? Why is it worth dedicating time to? Well, as crime writer Peter James says ..read more

Do you believe you can succeed? Do you know in your heart you can finish your story? Do you have trust in your skills? Self-doubt, imposter syndrome and feeling stuck are all natural parts of the writing process. However, self-efficacy is one way to overcome them. It’s that belief in our own ability to succeed in certain situations that is our almighty ally against the creative barriers that we might face.  What is Self-Efficacy? Self-efficacy or faith in ourselves, in our own abilities, is one of the most powerful tools in the world. It gives us the drive to finish that novel, to comple ..read more