Category Archives: ideas

Last minute Christmas Presents for Writers

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Della Galton

So… have you finished your Christmas shopping? Is everything wrapped and under the tree? Or have you just looked at your calendar and thought blimey, is it only a week away I’d better get cracking? (pun intended!). If you fall … Continue reading →

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WRITING GOALS and the Rule of Three!

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Della Galton

Do you, by any chance, have a New Year Resolution that involves writing? This idea might help you to keep it. The Rule of Three is one of the most powerful principles I have ever learned. With thanks to Jack … Continue reading →

Posted in Flash Fiction, ideas, Inspiration, Short stories for magazines, The Reading Group, Tips on writing, Woman's Weekly, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Creating Characters – How well do you know your imaginary people?

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Della Galton

Sometimes a character comes into my head fully formed. Sometimes they are shadowy. Sometimes they are shy like real people and I have to get to know them slowly.  Interviewing them is good. These 21 questions are one of my … Continue reading →

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The Biggest Occupational Hazard of Being a Writer!

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Della Galton

Today I’m writing about the biggest occupational hazard of being a writer.  No, I’m not talking about writer’s bottom! Although that is a hazard, I have to say. Especially when combined with Easter and all the chocolate I’ve recently consumed! … Continue reading →

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Is Your Writing Smelly Enough?

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Della Galton

Using the senses in your writing, especially the sense of smell, really helps to take the reader into your story.  However, it’s just as easy  to be cliché with smells as with any other writing so choose carefully and be … Continue reading →

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Six tips for writing shorts for Nanowrimo

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Della Galton

As I mentioned in my last blog I’m busy doing Nanowrimo this month. But as usual I’m writing 50k of short stories in November not a novel. This is more useful for me, being as shorts are my day job. … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas, Inspiration, NaNoWriMo, Tips on writing, Writing | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Ten Inspiring Quotes About Writing

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Della Galton

1. Talent is not as important as authenticity. 2. Editing makes it perfect but raw is sometimes better. Don’t polish out the sparkle. 3. The best way to find your voice is to write more. 4. What comes from the … Continue reading →

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The New Year’s Resolution every writer will keep

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Della Galton

It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? We set a New Year’s resolution – this year we are going to write the novel, write every day, submit ten short stories a month to magazines. Will we keep them? Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas, Inspiration, Wednesday Writing Spot, Writing | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Ten Stories NOT to send to Woman’s Weekly

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Della Galton

I was lucky enough to be teaching with the very lovely Gaynor Davies at Woman’s Weekly last Monday. Here are a list of stories she currently does NOT WANT because a) they have too many already or b) they’d been … Continue reading →

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What Do Your Short Story characters Look Like?

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Della Galton

Characterisation is the means by which you make your fictional characters appear to be real people. It is probably the most important part of any piece of fiction. If the reader doesn’t care about your character, he or she won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas, Inspiration, Short stories for magazines, Tips on writing, Writing | Tagged , , | 3 Comments