Category Archives: Inspiration

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

Nanowrimo 2014. 50k of short stories in a month!

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Della Galton

It’s coming up to Nanowrimo again isn’t it? That’s National Novel Writing Month for the uninitiated. That’s when you sign up to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Or 50,000 words worth of short stories in … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, NaNoWriMo, News, Writing | 16 Comments

Holidays for Writers – are they worth it?

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Della Galton

I’ve recently been lucky enough to spend time at two well known writers’ Summer Schools.  The Writers’ Holiday at Fishguard (Pembrokeshire) and Swanwick the Writers’ Summer School (Derbyshire). So what can you do at a writers’ holiday? Apart from network and enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Retreat, Writing, Writing conferences & schools | Tagged , , | 4 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 →

Posted in ideas, Inspiration | Tagged , | 2 Comments

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

Five ways to progress your writing – or other stuff in your life!

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Della Galton

As you might know if you follow my blog regularly I’m very goal orientated. Before I was a full time writer I was a Customer Services Manager for Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water and worked in a very goal orientated … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration | 9 Comments

12 Attributes Every Writer Needs

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Della Galton

Have you ever wondered what attributes you might need to be a full time writer? Well, here’s a tongue in cheek list of 12 attributes every full time writer needs: Creativity. Persistence. An endless supply of patience. A second income. … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Writing | 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 →

Posted in ideas, Inspiration, News, Short stories for magazines, Woman's Weekly, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

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

Naming Characters – Wednesday Writing Spot

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Della Galton

For this week’s Wednesday Writing Spot – sorry there hasn’t been one for a while – I would like to welcome my good friend and fellow author, Kath McGurl, who many of you will know from her fabulous Womag blog. … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Posts, ideas, Inspiration, Wednesday Writing Spot | Tagged , | 9 Comments