Most books on creative writing tend to be less technical, at least in appearance, than ‘Sentence models’.
Read Morecreative writing
Who needs a Creative Writing MA? (Revisited)
I wrote this article in 2020. Having read it again, I still agree with the views I expressed then. In fact, I’d go further. When anyone who has achieved the benefits potentially offered by X tells you that you don’t need X, I think a huge dollop of cynicism is in order.
Read MoreCreative writing: My attempt to write a Carolean Verse Romance
I’m not known for writing poetry, much less in the style of the 16th century. But I’ve had a go, and I like to think that my poetry is a bit better than my art.
Read MoreSome creative non-fiction
I’ve written a piece called My Life in Cafés. I wanted it to be bittersweet, a mixture of pathos and humour.
Read MoreOn being late
Far from being late all the time, I am ridiculously early. We all know that there’s nothing worse than a convert (just try smoking within a mile of where I’m sitting if you’re not convinced of the veracity of this statement).
Read MoreThe Oulipo, and how it has helped me as a writer
Unlike other approaches to writing, Oulipo is based on constraints rather than such devices as free association.
Read MoreOld Nick
This was written as a creative nonfiction writing assignment I set myself, as a way of paying homage to a dedicated — if fierce — teacher.
Read MoreIs creative writing teachable?
Some people say "of course creative writing can be taught", while others say the opposite. I take a slightly more nuanced view.
Read MoreWho needs a Creative Writing MA?
Are Creative Writing MAs worth doing?
Read MoreThe long goodbye
This is an article I wrote for a creative nonfiction writing assignment, dealing with dementia. It was first published in an anthology called Between The Lines.
Read MorePhotoPrompt #26: Rush hour
Here is what the rush hour looked like on the last day I travelled in London.
Read MoreA short story involving homophonics
Homophones are words that sound the same but don’t mean the same, such as fare (food) and fare (cost of travel), or their and there. In Oulipo, you take a phrase and think of one which sounds like it. I believe that it is permissible to stretch the definition of “sounds like”, so I have taken advantage of that fact.
Read MoreReview of the Oulipo Compendium
Quick look: Short-form creative writing: a writer's guide and anthology
You may be very good at condensing a complex argument and proposals down to no more than six bullet points (as one of my line managers always demanded). This book makes it clear that there are more creative opportunities too.
Read MoreReview of a creative nonfiction course
I recently did a creative writing course. Here are my reflections on it.
Read MoreReview of the American Gothic course at the City Lit
Why has doing a course on American fiction been so enjoyable, and useful to me as a non-fiction writer?
Read MoreLove and relationship writing -- same old pap?
Why creative writing courses are good for your soul as well as for developing your writing technique.
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