Category Archives: Writing problems and solutions

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 →

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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

How do I stop my romances becoming predictable?

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Della Galton

Here’s another question from a recent postbag at Writers’ Forum. This one comes up quite a bit.  We’re talking fictional ones by the way! Q A common cause for the rejection of short stories (I know, because I’ve received many!) is … Continue reading →

Posted in Dear Della, Questions from Dear Della, Short stories for magazines, Tips on writing, Writing, Writing problems and solutions | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Wednesday Writing Spot – Writing Problems and Solutions, part one.

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Della Galton

The Problem – Procrastination This is a big one for me. I didn’t realise how big until I took a week off and went to Devon last week, where I had hired a cottage to write the beginning of my … Continue reading →

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The Wednesday Writing Spot – Plotting the longer Short Story

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Della Galton

Plotting was the bane of my life when I started writing. It still trips me up now occasionally, particularly when I’m changing lengths, for example from 1000 to 2000 words. So here are some tips for writing the longer short … Continue reading →

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The Wednesday Writing Spot. Tips on Winning Short Story Competitions

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Della Galton

This is the first of four posts about various aspects of short story writing, which will go out over the next four Wednesdays, in my new Wednesday Writing Spot. I hope they are helpful. I have spent a fair bit … Continue reading →

Posted in competitions, Wednesday Writing Spot, Writing, Writing problems and solutions | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

To Plot or Not

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Della Galton

When you write a novel, one of the first decisions you need to make is how you are going to undertake to write it.  Will you a)  Plan out each chapter in detail so that you know exactly what is … Continue reading →

Posted in plotting, Tips on writing, Writing, Writing problems and solutions | 1 Comment