Blog

With every word we write, we learn a little more, improving both our writing process, and our finished stories.

  • How to cut words from your writing

    How to cut words from your writing

    If you’re writing short stories for contests, magazines or anthologies, you’ll probably find yourself aiming for a word count. Sometimes, the word count is too tight for the story, but other times it’s a case of conciseness.  In these instances, you’ll probably find yourself trawling back and forth, looking for sneaky words to snip out. … Read more

  • Books to read in autumn for cosy and spooky vibes

    Books to read in autumn for cosy and spooky vibes

    Rain on the window, bright golden leaves, spooky witchy ambience—there’s no better time to snuggle up with a good book than in autumn. Reading is just as important as writing in improving your storytelling craft. It gives you an opportunity to see what you’ve learnt in practice; to pick up new ideas; and to remind… Read more

  • Looking after your wellbeing whilst writing

    Looking after your wellbeing whilst writing

    Writing can be lonely, and baring your soul to the world through your words can be anxiety-inducing, especially when people don’t hold back on giving their honest opinion. Looking after your wellbeing isn’t just important for your health, it helps to keep you motivated, passionate and focused on what’s important. Here’s a few of the… Read more

  • Inspirational tonics: tips and tricks for finding your next story idea

    Inspirational tonics: tips and tricks for finding your next story idea

    We’ve all been there—desperate to get lost in the magic of writing, but banging on an invisible wall of nothingness when it comes to inspiration. Even if we have the spark of an idea, sometimes, no matter how hard we prod and poke, it just won’t transform into a story. When this happens, the very… Read more

  • How to write a story in 48 hours

    How to write a story in 48 hours

    It’s been about a year since we first started writing short stories. Following our recent contest win, we thought we’d note down some of the things we’ve learnt. Writing contests are a great way to improve your writing, giving you clear deadlines, themes and motivation to pick up a pen, and send your finished piece… Read more