Author Archives: Della Galton

Inspiration and writing

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Della Galton

I was writing a short story yesterday – well trying to write one actually – and it was like wading through treacle. There was nothing actually wrong with it, I mean the words were OK, but I was not enjoying … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas, Inspiration, Tips on writing | 13 Comments

Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Della Galton

We all begin the year with various writing resolutions, but then real life gets in the way.  So why not have one resolution a month? January Don’t think about it, just write.  Set a timer for ten minutes and begin … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips on writing, Writing, Writing exercises | 6 Comments

Writing a Serial

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Della Galton

I started writing serials because the thought of making the leap between short stories and novels terrified me.   Writing a serial of around twenty thousand words seemed like a good interim step. Not quite as scary as embarking on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips on writing, Writing | 10 Comments

The Dunford Novelists’ Conference

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Della Galton

Gosh, it’s ages since I wrote a blog, and I have been meaning to tell you about the Dunford Novelists for a while. This is my all time favourite writing conference. Two reasons: one, it’s at the end of January … Continue reading →

Posted in Retreat, Writing, Writing conferences & schools | 2 Comments

Eleven Qualities Every Professional Writer Needs

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Della Galton

I’ve been editing a piece on writing short stories that I did for Writers’ Forum some time ago. I just came across this list of qualities a professional writer needs, and I thought it might be quite fun to share … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips on writing | 1 Comment

Tips on giving and receiving constructive feedback on your writing

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Della Galton

Constructive feedback is something that we do a lot in my writing classes, i.e. students read out work for which they’d like feedback.  For me it’s very valuable, and is the reason I still attend a writing class as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips on writing, Writing | 8 Comments

Speed Short Story writing

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Della Galton

How many short stories can you write in a week? How many in a day? I’ve just read a feature in Writing Magazine,  October Issue, about a guy who wrote, edited and formatted a novella length story in a week. … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Short stories for magazines, Writing | 15 Comments

Wacky Filing Systems

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Della Galton

I always find it interesting what other writers do to keep track of their stories. I know some of us have paper filing systems (I do) and some of us keep track of our stories on spreadsheets. I prefer the … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips on writing, Writing | 4 Comments

How to Write and Sell Short Stories in a Changing Market

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Della Galton

Shameless self promotion below 🙂 I am doing a course called: How to write and sell short stories in a changing market – Saturday 20 October, 10 till 4.00 in Bournemouth. Is the short story market dead? I don’t think so. … Continue reading →

Posted in Short stories for magazines, Tips on writing, Writing | Leave a comment

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Della Galton

I recently did a feature for the People’s Friend about Battersea Dog and Cats Home to tie in with  ITV1’s series, Paul Grady: For the Love of Dogs.  The feature comes out in People’s Friend on October 20th, but in … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Writing | 13 Comments