Several writers have been in touch about a similar problem – writing that grows out of control. One mentioned ‘the spiralling complexity of WIPs’ (beautifully said!); others mentioned ‘finishing projects without getting distracted by new ones’, and ‘digging yourself out of rabbit holes’.   I suspect that these issues have a shared underlying thread, and it’s all to do with having a wonderful creative brain! I feel your pain, as I’m also plagued by this problem. Without planning, plots have a way of bifurcating like sprouting trees. Exciting new ideas can seem more promising than the ..read more

Some writing jobs can expand into UX (user experience) design, which may come as a surprise to writers! Although UX is a separate expertise, companies sometimes don’t realise this, and the copywriter and web designer may have to problem-solve, and handle it between them. Especially with a bigger company website needing a redesign, this can make the job a lot more involved than you were expecting. UX and site structure are far more than simple organisation and visual design. They’re more like information architecture, calling for a mix of user empathy, psychology, practical common sense, and lo ..read more

When it comes to preparing your book for audio recording, non-fiction authors often need special strategies. Many non-fiction books include bullet points, lists, tables, graphs, footnotes, references, quotes etc that don’t work in audio format. These visual and structural elements can’t be heard, or may be unclear or unexciting for listeners. So what do you do as a writer? Recently, I worked with a business author who needed to adapt her non-fiction book for her own narration. She’s a lively and compelling speaker and writer, but her book needed work to help her material ‘sing’ on air, and mak ..read more

Nanonovels are an experiment with microfiction or flash fiction using random writing prompts. You might find the process helpful if you only have tiny pockets of time to write in, or want a new writing challenge to take you outside your comfort zone! I invented the nanonovel process many years ago, during a time of illness when I’d stopped writing, and needed to get back on track. Each story took five minutes to write, and although they weren’t intended for publication, they turned out fun, and I published them later as a book. Each nanonovel is a tiny, complete story shape. I was interested i ..read more

Ever wondered how to write a script for an audio guide for tourists? I’ve written a range of scripts for local visitor attractions, so here are some tips on how to create an engaging experience for listeners. Get to know the site or building As a first step, get hold of any available leaflets, interpretation or background for the project. Do some research. Then, go on a recce of the site you’re writing the guide for. Ideally, do this with the curator, or the client who has commissioned the audio guide. If you’re creating a tour by yourself, you’ll need to plan the flow of the tour, start and e ..read more

When you get stuck with writing, what strategies do you use? I often find it’s because I need a fresh perspective and some time away. One creative tool that has really helped me over the years is Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies. They’re a series of prompts and questions designed to open up creative possibilities, and get you thinking differently. I use the box of cards, but you can also use an online version. I was reminded of Oblique Strategies again when I saw Moonage Daydream, the wonderful film out about the creative life of David Bowie. I realised that Bowie had used them throughout his ex ..read more

Do you need tech-savvy skills to write for online markets? I got this question from an aspiring copywriter, and it’s a great one. Do you need to write code, or be a web whiz, in order to be a copywriter or content writer for the web? What if you just want to write? Well, firstly, you could argue that all writing is a kind of code! But I’ll leave that controversial point for now. The answer is: no, you don’t need to be a web guru, and you don’t need to write code or html. However, with one or two extra web tricks up your sleeve, you can be a great help to online clients. You don’t need to becom ..read more

Are you about to begin editing a novel or script? I often find editing long-form writing daunting. It can be tricky to keep sight of the overall structure, and do close-up editing at the same time. Then you’ve got to wrangle character arcs, plot twists, and scene shapes… it’s a miracle that writers ever manage to let their writing go! For me, long form editing calls for different strategies. Here are some techniques from my recent experience of editing a long-form piece of writing, from using tech to hands-on physical shunting! Lay the writing aside Get distance from recent writing by laying i ..read more

As a freelance newbie copywriter, you’ll most likely work with small businesses (SMEs). But what about bigger companies? How do you get on the radar for bigger contracts that are put out to tender? Here’s some advice on getting on the ladder for public sector work. This is pointy end nitty-gritty, and not for everyone! But it may be a future horizon, especially if you plan to scale, and work with another writer. This is UK advice, so you’ll need to check out how things work in your own country. Get ready for some terminology! Background and mindset In large companies and the public sector, cop ..read more

Is recording an audiobook a worthwhile investment for authors? Are time and money well spent on audio production, or would you be better focusing on other things – such as writing your next book? I discussed this recently with writer and podcaster Emma Dhesi and it’s such a tricky issue! Every writer is different, and the answer will depend on the stage you’re at, too. But here are 11 questions to help you think it through. And note that if you love audio and it’s your dream to have an audiobook out, crack on! You might find my book Writing for Audiobooks helpful for the editing stage. 1. Do y ..read more