Category Archives: Tips on writing

Getting the Grip Factor

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Della Galton

Have you ever been in a writing group and listening to a manuscript – possibly read out by one of your very good friends – and then realised that you’ve stopped listening. That you have drifted off partway through? That … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips on writing, Writing | 11 Comments

Tips on Dialogue

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Della Galton

As we know dialogue in fiction – or non fiction – has several functions: It characterises, i.e. it shows the reader what our characters are like. It moves the plot along, i.e. it helps to unfold the story. It adds … Continue reading →

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So what is a short story then?

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Della Galton

This is a question I regularly get asked by students. I was doing a talk at a writers’ group in Bournemouth on Monday evening and it came up again.  I know I have my own definition, it’s one I’ve refined … Continue reading →

Posted in Short stories for magazines, Tips on writing | 4 Comments

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

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 →

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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

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 →

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