Category Archives: Tips on writing

My New Newsletter for Writers – Social Media Itis

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Della Galton

Hi It’s been such a long time since I wrote a post and for that I apologise. I seem to have succumbed to social media-itis. This is a technical term for having too many social media sites to update regularly. … Continue reading →

Posted in News, social media, Tips on writing | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Elements of a Short Story

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Della Galton

I often get asked if there is any sort of checklist for writing a short story.  And yes, I think there is.  Here is what I think a short story should include: A character who has a problem/conflict which must … Continue reading →

Posted in plotting, Short stories for magazines, Tips on writing, Writing, Writing problems and solutions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Four Reasons We Don’t Write – and What to Do About Them!

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Della Galton

Motivation – one of my favourite subjects. Motivating yourself to write should be easy, shouldn’t it? After all, we want to write. Don’t we? So why is it so difficult to get started? Recognise any of these excuses – er hem, … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Tips on writing, Writing, Writing problems and solutions, Writing Ramblings | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

How much research should I do?

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Della Galton

I can’t believe how long it is since I’ve blogged. So big apologies.  Where has the year gone? I think it’s summer isn’t it, although it doesn’t actually feel like it in deepest Dorset right now!  It’s all wind and … Continue reading →

Posted in Questions from Dear Della, Tips on writing, Writing, Writing problems and solutions | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Where is your story set?

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Della Galton

Settings are incredibly important for fiction. They are where our characters live and they are where we are going to take our readers. So for me, it’s important to choose a setting I know well. The setting for my latest series … Continue reading →

Posted in Settings, The Reading Group, Tips on writing, Writing | Tagged | 3 Comments

Writing The End First – Do you write chronologically? Or not?

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Della Galton

I can’t believe how long it is since I wrote a post! It’s been mad lately. I’ve been writing the last part of my series, The Reading Group.  Part Five was the Summer Holiday. Blimey, that was definitely the trickiest. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Deals, Endings, Inspiration, plotting, The Reading Group, Tips on writing, Writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

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 →

Posted in ideas, Inspiration, Tips on writing, Writing, Writing exercises | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Writing Courses – are they worth it?

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Della Galton

There are so many writing courses around these days. Universities run them, publishers run them, magazines run them. In fact every Tom, Dick and Harry (if you’ll excuse the cliche) runs writing courses. Even the smallest town has a literary … Continue reading →

Posted in Short stories for magazines, Tips on writing, Woman's Weekly, Writing, Writing conferences & schools | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Tips on Writing Flash Fiction

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Della Galton

Flash Fiction is a term that can be applied to anything under 1000 words but more usually it’s shorter. For the purposes of this blog let’s say between 300 and 500 words. It shouldn’t be anecdotal, i.e. it should still … Continue reading →

Posted in Flash Fiction, Tips on writing, Writing | Tagged , , | 7 Comments