You don’t need to know it all to share something valuable

The myth of expertise in nonfiction writing There’s a common misconception among new writers of nonfiction that you need to be an expert in your field to have something valuable to say. Hogwash! Yes, you need to know enough to reassure the reader. That’s obvious. But...

Exploring speed

Speed writing seems to be becoming a trend. We’re not talking about being able to scribble down notes or use short hand, but generating large volumes of writing incredibly quickly. It may be social media posts, blogs, articles or even books. When I was teaching,...

Why you need a writer’s notebook

Writer’s Notebook – pretentious accessory or crucial equipment? You may have heard people talking about having a “writer’s notebook”, and wondered what it is, and what you should be using it for. What is a writer’s notebook? Well,...

Navigating libel in memoir writing

The whole truth and nothing but the truth?  Writing your memoir is a chance to share your truth. Your story. Your reality. You control the stories you tell and how you tell them. The central character, alongside a supporting cast. But how supportive will those other...

Pace makers

How to master pacing in nonfiction writing and why  There are lots of things we can do as nonfiction writers to help our readers absorb information, stay tuned and leave them wanting more. One of them is setting the right pace. Knowing how to deliver information at a...