Creative writing is a powerful way to express yourself, explore new ideas, and bring stories to life. But for many of us, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever wanted to try creative writing but weren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone.

At Derbyshire Writing School, we believe that anyone can write. Sometimes, we just need a little guidance and inspiration. That’s why we’ve put together some of our top tips to help you get started on your creative writing journey...

Help! I Want to Get Started with Creative Writing

If you’re feeling the urge to write but don’t know where to begin, don’t worry. It’s completely normal! Many people feel that initial uncertainty. The first step is to let go of any pressure to write perfectly.

Instead, focus on the fun and freedom that comes with creative writing. The key is to start small. Don’t worry about crafting a masterpiece on your first try. It’s more important to start by putting your thoughts on paper.

To help with this, we’ve created our Introduction To Creative Writing Workbook. It’s packed with tips, techniques and insights to help you unleash your creativity. Whether you’re struggling to decide which genre to try or you’re struggling to develop an idea, our workbook is here to be your creative writing companion.

Writing is a skill that grows over time, and the most important thing is to take that first step. Whether it’s a few lines or a character idea, just getting words down is a win.

Where Do Ideas Come From?

One of the biggest questions new writers ask is, where do ideas come from? The truth is, ideas are everywhere! They can spring from your own experiences, memories, or even something you overhear in a conversation.

If you’re looking for inspiration, try observing the world around you. A walk through a park, a conversation at a café, or even your daily routine can spark an idea. Or try a writing prompt. We’ve got 101 free prompts to get you started.

Where Do You Start?

The best advice here is to simply get writing! Whether you start with a description of a setting, a snippet of dialogue, or a character introduction, the important thing is to begin.

We recommend a writing sprint. This is a great technique for helping us zone in on our writing. Set a timer for 10 minutes and free write whatever comes to mind. The key here is that you don’t focus on what the words are, but simply on getting them down and keeping your hand moving.

This helps silence your inner critic and get your creative juices flowing. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it shouldn’t be! Writing is a process, and you can always revise and improve later.

How Do You Get Motivated to Write?

Motivation can be one of the toughest challenges for writers. It’s easy to feel inspired one day and stuck the next. To keep yourself motivated, we recommend creating your own personal writing routine.

For example, find a time that works best for you, whether it’s early morning or late at night.  Commit to writing regularly. This is valuable even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes a day. Building this kind of consistency can help you develop a writing routine.

However, we know it isn't always easy to find the habits that work best for us. That’s why we created our Developing a Writing Habit Workbook. It's full of tips and tricks to help you find the strategies that work for you.

How Do You Know What to Write About?

The beauty of creative writing is that there are no restrictions. We can write about anything and write in any genre. Yet, this can also be overwhelming.

If you’re wondering what to write about, start by thinking about what interests or excites you. What kinds of stories do you enjoy reading or watching? Do you love mysteries, romances, or fantasy worlds?

Write the type of story that you’d like to read. Your passion for a particular genre or topic will naturally come through in your writing and make it more enjoyable.

What If My Writing Isn’t Good?

It’s completely normal to doubt your writing, especially when you’re starting out. The important thing to remember is that no one’s first draft is perfect. Writing is a skill, and like anything else, it improves with practice.

Don’t be discouraged if your initial attempts don’t turn out the way you hoped. Embrace the process and keep going.

Every writer experiences self-doubt at some point. The more you write, the more confident you’ll become. Focus on the progress you’re making rather than aiming for perfection. And remember, you can always revise and edit later to make your writing stronger.

What Do I Do Next?

Once you’ve finished a piece of writing, the next step is to revise. Read through your work with fresh eyes and see where you can improve. Are there areas that need more detail? Are your characters fully developed? Don’t be afraid to make changes. Revising is a crucial part of the writing process, and it’s where your story can truly shine.

After editing, consider sharing your work with others for feedback. Whether it’s with friends, family, or a writing group, getting constructive criticism can help you improve.

And most importantly, keep writing! The more you write, the better you’ll get. Before long, you’ll see just how much progress you’ve made.

Get Started With Derbyshire Writing School!

Getting started with creative writing is all about taking that first step and embracing the process. We hope our workbook helps you to begin your creative writing journey!

At Derbyshire Writing School, we believe that everyone has a story to tell. So, pick up your pen, start writing, and see where your creativity takes you! We’d love to hear how you get on! You can write to us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.co.uk

Christmas is a time filled with joy, magic, and nostalgia. It’s an ideal setting for storytelling. Whether you’re writing a cosy holiday romance, a heartwarming family tale, or a magical adventure, crafting a Christmas-themed story can help unleash our creativity.

But how can we capture the essence of the festive season while also telling a captivating story? At Derbyshire Writing School, we believe that anyone can bring the spirit of Christmas to life through writing.

That’s why we’ve put together some of our top tips to help you create a memorable Christmas story…

1. Embrace the Spirit of Christmas

At the heart of so many Christmas stories is a sense of warmth, hope, and togetherness. As we’re developing our plot and characters, it gives us the opportunity to think about the core values that we often associate with this time of year. For example, kindness, generosity or love might shape your story.

Whether your story revolves around a family gathering, a romantic relationship, or a personal journey, weaving in these universal themes can make your story feel authentic and uplifting.

Christmas stories are often about connection. This might be between loved ones, strangers, or even with yourself.  Reflect on what Christmas means to you, and let those feelings inspire your story.

2. Create a Festive Atmosphere

One of the joys of Christmas stories is the vivid, festive setting that readers can immerse themselves in. Within Christmas stories, the setting often becomes almost a character in itself. It has the power to shape the tone and mood.

Think about how classic Christmas films like Home Alone use the setting to enhance the story. The McCallister home, with its twinkling lights, stockings, and glowing Christmas tree, radiates warmth and holiday cheer.

In contrast, the snow-covered streets and festive neighbourhood highlight Kevin's loneliness after being left behind. The setting creates a powerful emotional tone.

By using descriptive language to showcase these details, we can create a rich atmosphere that makes the story feel magical. If you need some help igniting your festive creativity, our Christmas writing prompts can help.

3. Incorporate Tension

While Christmas is often painted as a joyful time, it can also bring stress and conflict. Family dynamics, Christmas expectations, or financial pressures can provide the tension needed to drive your story forward. For example, maybe your protagonist has to reconcile with a long-lost sibling.

Introducing obstacles for your characters to overcome can be a powerful storytelling tool. It can keep readers hooked to see if the obstacle is overcome. It also gives you the chance to highlight the transformative power of Christmas.

After all, some of the most heart-warming holiday stories stem from moments of personal growth and reconciliation. A Christmas Carol is a great example. Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from cold-hearted to a generous, caring man is the heart of the story. The theme of redemption, set against the backdrop of the Christmas season, gives the story its emotional depth and enduring appeal.

4. Add a Touch of Magic

Christmas is a time when magic feels possible. Whether it’s a touch of fantasy, like Santa Claus making an appearance, or something more subtle, such as a mysterious stranger who changes everything, adding an element of wonder can elevate your Christmas story.

Magic can come in all forms. In fact, we talk about how to write magic in our blog. If your story leans more towards realism, for example, this sense of enchantment can also be created through the emotions of your characters. Perhaps your protagonist experiences a moment of epiphany or receives an unexpected gift that changes their life.

Magic in Christmas stories doesn’t always have to be literal. It can also be found in the small, meaningful moments that make the holiday special.

The Power Of Christmas Stories

Writing a Christmas-themed story is a wonderful way to capture the magic of the season and share it with others. By embracing the spirit of Christmas, creating a festive atmosphere, and sprinkling in a bit of magic, you can craft a memorable festive tale.

At Derbyshire Writing School, we encourage you to play with your words and reflect on your festive experiences. Start writing your Christmas story and see where it takes you! You never know what wonders you’ll discover! Let us know how you get on at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

At Derbyshire Writing School, we believe that your life is a treasure trove of stories waiting to be told. That’s why we created the Write About Your Life workbook. Packed with tips and prompts, we’re here to help you explore your memories and how to express your thoughts and feelings on paper.

So, why should you write about your life?

• To Reflect on Your Journey

As we’ve discussed in our podcast episode, the tool of life documentation is a valuable tool. Writing about your life allows you to reflect on your experiences. It helps you make sense of where you’ve been and how you've grown.

By putting your thoughts and memories into words, you can gain clarity on the lessons learned and the patterns that have shaped your life.

This reflection can not only be therapeutic but can also bring new understanding about the person you’ve become. It can provide us with insights into our values and decisions that we may not have consciously realised.

• Life Writing Can Be Therapeutic

Some people find the process of getting their thoughts and feelings down on paper to be therapeutic. The page can feel like a safe space to process our emotions that might be difficult to express verbally.  When you write, you create a private world where you can explore your feelings, confront past experiences, and make sense of complex situations.

The act of writing itself can also be calming. It allows you to release pent-up emotions and gain a sense of control over your narrative. This process can lead to greater emotional clarity, self-compassion, and healing as we transform our inner turmoil into words.

For more on how writing can be good for our well-being, you can listen to our podcast episode on this topic.

• Can Lead To Self-Awareness

Writing about your life is a valuable tool as it can lead to new levels of self-awareness. As you document your experiences, you naturally start to examine your thoughts, behaviours, and motivations more deeply. This process can uncover subconscious patterns and reveal hidden aspects of our personality.

By consistently reflecting on our life through writing, we can become more familiar with our emotions and reactions. This can have powerful results such as leading to better decision-making and personal growth. Over time, this practice can foster a stronger sense of identity and purpose, which can boost our self-confidence.

Have you tried documenting your life on the page?

Writing about our lives has several benefits. It allows you to reflect on your journey, process your emotions, and gain valuable insights into yourself. But it can also be daunting, and that’s where our workbook can help!

Have you experimented with life writing before? How does the process make you feel? We’d love to hear your thoughts. You can get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

What’s In The Derbyshire Writing School Workbook?

The workbook is packed with practical guidance to help you start writing about your life. It offers a range of tips, techniques, and insights to explore your memories and reflect on your experiences.

With a variety of activities, thought-provoking questions and prompts, the workbook aims to challenge and inspire you to put your thoughts and feelings into words. Designed to support your first steps into life writing, it will equip you with strategies and tools to savour your personal journey on the page.

Use the workbook to preserve your experiences and transform scattered memories into captivating stories for yourself, your family, or a wider audience. Your story is unique and valuable, and this guide will help you tell it, one page at a time. Start exploring your life through writing today and learn how to document your life for years to come.

Our Write About Your Life Workbook will help you to:

✅ Understand what life writing is, and how the forms it can take.

✅ Investigate the importance of writing about your life.

✅ Examine the reasons why you might not want to write about your life

✅ Start writing your memoir!

Plus, it’s packed with writing activities. 

This workbook is for you if you’ve ever struggled with these problems: 

• You don’t know how to start writing about your life

• You struggle to come up with ideas or topics to write about

• You don’t feel confident in writing non-fiction

• You are confused by all the different forms of life writing. 

Why are our workbooks different? 

We mix the creative and the practical. You won’t just get pages of words, you’ll find activities and tasks throughout the workbook to ensure you apply all the knowledge you’re gaining.

Prepare to interact! We have designed all our workbooks for you to write on, highlight, and underline. Complete each activity as you go, and you’ll develop your knowledge and confidence with our unique mix of the creative and the practical.

What you’ll get:

✅ Incredible value.

✅ Practical and creative advice.

✅ A step-by-step guide.

✅ Expert knowledge.

• Each workbook contains useful content and fun activities to develop your knowledge. It’s the detailed information you’d find on a course or workshop but packaged beautifully to work on at home. It’s jam-packed with our best advice. 

• Each workbook offers practical tools you can apply to your writing life today, whilst talking you through some creative activities to expand your knowledge. 

• Each workbook breaks down a tricky writing problem and offers a step-by-step guide to overcome it. We get it you don’t want a complicated explanation. You want easy steps you can follow to allow you to become the writer you’ve always wanted to be. 

• Each workbook will teach you a writing topic at pace. We’ve all got piles of writing craft books waiting to be read, but finding the time is hard. What if we compacted the best writing advice into an actionable workbook? Look no further friend! You don’t need days to read our workbooks, just an evening to commit to your writing. 

Plus, if you’re wondering if life writing is for you, take a look at our creative questions to inspire you to write about your life.

Other Workbooks From Derbyshire Writing School

·      Editing Your Book

·      Developing A Writing Habit

·      Creating Compelling Characters

Our workbooks are here to support you at every stage of your journey. You can find these and other valuable writing tools on our Amazon page.

Why Showing In Writing Is Important

Have you ever read a book and felt like you were right there in the middle of the action, seeing and feeling everything the characters did? That’s the magic of show, don’t tell.

At its core, this concept means describing scenes, actions, and emotions in a way that paints a vivid picture for the reader instead of just stating facts. We are ‘showing’ the reader what it feels like, instead of ‘telling’ them.

Although it can be a difficult technique to master, it can also be another valuable kind of creative constraint. It’s a great way to test ourselves and our writing. 

 So, why is show, don’t tell such a big topic within creative writing? Let’s dive straight in…

Showing Engages Readers Emotionally

Showing helps readers connect emotionally with our characters. When you show what a character is feeling through their actions and thoughts, readers can experience those emotions too. It’s the difference between saying, ‘John was sad’ and showing John slumping in his chair, his eyes welling up with tears.

This emotional engagement has the power to make readers care more about our character’s journey. It has the power to make our stories feel real and relatable. It can seem like a subtle difference, but when we are reading a book and the writer is using show, it’s a powerful difference that creates that emotional engagement and impact that we want.

Showing Creates More Vivid Imagery

Showing also paints a picture in the reader’s mind and makes our scenes come alive. By showing instead of telling, you let readers use their imagination to fill in the details. Rather than saying the garden was beautiful for example, we can show them the vibrant colours of the flowers and the sound of bees buzzing. We then invite the reader into the story and let them make up their own mind about scenes and events. If we’ve done this well as a writer, the reader can then see what we want them to see.

These vivid details help create a stronger visual image. They make our stories more memorable. This rich imagery is something that we can apply to stories in multiple genres.

Showing Reveals Character and Plot Naturally

Showing is also an amazing tool for revealing character traits and plot developments naturally. It can help both us and our readers get to know our characters on a deeper level. Showing helps us transform our characters from words on a page to figures with distinct personalities – we can turn them from a zero to a hero.

By letting our plot unfold through our characters, we also invite readers to piece together the story as it happens. We draw readers into our story, our world. By giving our readers the power to interpret things for themselves, we keep them invested. We keep them eager to uncover what happens next. 

How to Show, Not Tell 

Here at Derbyshire Writing School, we’ve put together some key techniques to help you experiment with show, don’t tell: 

• Use Sensory Details – One of the best ways to show rather than tell is by engaging the five senses. Instead of telling readers, ‘The forest smelled nice,’ we can show them the experience through details such as ‘The forest smelled of damp earth and pine needles.’ This paints a more vivid picture and pulls readers into the scene. Sensory details can make our scenes richer for readers.

• Action Over Description – Another effective technique is to show through actions. Instead of simply stating that our character was angry for instance, we can show their anger through their clenched fists and gritted teeth. These kinds of details can make a moment more animated in readers’ minds. Actions allow our readers to see and feel what’s happening rather than just being told.

• Dialogue – Dialogue is a powerful tool for showing. Through conversation, you can reveal a character’s emotions without directly stating them. For example, instead of telling readers, ‘She was shocked and upset,’ we could talk about how she whispered and how her voice was trembling. The way characters speak and the words they choose can convey a lot about their feelings and relationships. Being part of a writing group can be a powerful way for us to practice and get feedback on these techniques. A new perspective often has the potential to help us improve our writing.

Examples of Showing vs Telling

Understanding the difference between showing and telling can be tricky. However, the more we practice the skill, the more it will start to feel like one of our writing habits.

Example 1: Emotion

Telling: ‘Mary was scared.’

Showing: ‘Mary’s hands trembled as she reached for the door, her breath quickening with every step.’

By showing Mary’s trembling hands and quickening breath, we can feel her fear more vividly. This approach makes her emotion more concrete and immediate for the reader.

Example 2: Setting

Telling: ‘The city was bustling.’

Showing: ‘Cars honked and pedestrians jostled past each other, their voices blending into a chaotic concert of city life.’

In this example, showing uses specific details such as the honking cars and a blend of voices to create a lively scene in the reader’s mind.

Example 3: Character Trait

Telling: ‘Tom was impatient.’

Showing: ‘Tom tapped his foot and checked his watch every few seconds, a frown deepening on his face.’

By describing Tom’s actions, we get a clear sense of his impatience without being directly told. This method allows the reader to infer the trait themselves and create their own image of the scene.

The Power Of Show, Don’t Tell

The more we practice show, don’t tell, the more comfortable we’ll become incorporating it into our writing. It’s an amazing way to draw readers into the world we’ve created, and that’s why we think it’s a skill worth experimenting with.

How do you feel about show, don’t tell? Is it a key feature of your writing or something new for you? Whatever your experience of the technique, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Write to us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com and let us know!

Imagine a place where you can share your writing triumphs, tackle your struggles, and find the motivation to keep going. Welcome to the world of writing groups. These groups are a supportive space that can help your creativity thrive and writers grow together.

Whether you're an experienced author or just starting your creative writing journey, a writing group could be just what you need to take your work to the next level. Let's delve into what writing groups are all about and how they can empower us on our writing journeys. 

What Are Writing Groups?

A writing group is a community of writers who come together to share their work, provide feedback, and offer support. These groups can meet in person or online, depending on what works best for the members.

The main goal is to create a supportive environment where writers can improve their craft and stay motivated. This kind of nurturing space is another reason why we think creative writing is so powerful.

A writing group can be formal, or it can be informal. You can pay to attend, or you can simply create a group with your friends. You can meet weekly or monthly and you can agree to share written work, or you can decide to just meet up and write together. The best part of a writing group is that you set the rules as a group, and you are in control of what your writing group will and won’t do.

Types of Writing Groups

Writing groups come in many shapes and sizes. We’ve popped some examples of the different types of writing groups below:

1. Genre-specific groups.

Some groups focus on specific genres such as fiction or poetry. They’ll typically provide targeted feedback and discussions relevant to each type. This may even include spoken word writing groups.  

2. General Writing Group.

Some writing groups are open to all styles. These kinds of groups might offer diverse feedback and encourage us to experiment with different genres. A general writing group may include activities for you to take part in, or they may just meet to read and share work. It’s best to ask before you join a group, so you know what to expect.

3. Critique Groups.

This kind of creative writing group tends to focus on giving and receiving in-depth feedback. They will often work on elements such as refining drafts and improving specific aspects of your writing. A critique writing group is not for everybody. They can be quite negative at times, but they can also be super valuable and improve your writing. However, they need to be well-managed, and strong boundaries need to be put in place to ensure critique is fair and useful. Remember, feedback is only one person’s opinion, and you can decide whether to agree or disagree with them.

4. Social Writing Groups.

These groups emphasise motivation and support rather than critique. They can include things such as goal-setting sessions and focus on a more casual, social approach to writing. This type of writing group often uses writing sprints and allows you to stack up your works and actually work on your writing. They can be great fun and allow you to make significant progress.

When choosing a group, the important thing to consider is your goal. Do you want detailed feedback? Genre-specific insights? Or a motivating community to keep you writing? Having this in mind can help guide you towards the right kind of writing group for you. 

Benefits of Joining a Writing Group

Whether you're looking to improve your writing in a certain area or just need a dose of motivation, the benefits of being part of a writing group can make a big difference in your writing journey. Let’s explore what you can gain from these supportive communities.

• Feedback – One of the most significant benefits is getting constructive feedback. Other writers can spot issues you might have missed and offer new perspectives. This can be really motivating as getting encouragement and feedback from others can allow you to see your strengths as a writer. As we’ve said, the group must have clear boundaries to ensure feedback is always constructive.

• Accountability – Regular meetings or deadlines can help keep you on track. It's harder to procrastinate when others are waiting to read your work. More than this though having a regular date in your diary is a great way for you to commit to your writing.

• Support – Writing can feel lonely sometimes. Having a group of people who understand your struggles can be incredibly motivating. Having this writing tribe that you can turn to for support can be just the push we need when we’re feeling stuck.

• Networking – Writing groups can connect you with people who have different skills and knowledge. This network can be valuable for finding opportunities, resources, and even friendships.

Are Writing Groups Worth It?

The answer to this question depends on your personal needs and goals. Here are a few reasons why writing groups might be a good fit for you:

You value feedback: If you're looking for honest and friendly opinions to improve your writing, a writing group can be invaluable.

You need motivation: If deadlines and accountability help you stay on track, a writing group can provide that structure.

You want community: Joining a writing group provides a sense of belonging and support. It’s a space where you can share your challenges and find encouragement when you need it most.

However, joining a writing group can be a big commitment. You’ll need to attend regularly to build relationships and friends that allow you to get the most out of the group, and to help others too.

The Power of Writing Groups

Writing groups can offer powerful benefits, from feedback and support to motivation and community. If you crave feedback, need deadlines, or seek camaraderie, a writing group could be a perfect addition to your writing routine.

If you’ve not experienced one before, it could be worth giving writing groups a try. You might find the boost you need to take your writing to the next level.

Or, if you’re after something slightly different, why not try a writing retreat? Writing retreats give writers a chance to escape everyday distractions and focus on their craft. At a writing retreat, you’ll typically find structured sessions for writing, workshops, and one-on-one feedback, all designed to enhance your skills and push your project forward.

So, have you ever tried a writing group? What were your thoughts on it? Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com and let us know. We’d love to hear your opinion!

Today, we're delving into a crucial aspect of creative writing: structure. Whether you're an experienced author or just starting your literary adventure, mastering the art of structuring your writing can help elevate your work, give you confidence and make your story stand out.

Here at Derbyshire Writing School, we believe having a solid framework for your words can be helpful in so many ways. That’s why we’ve put together some tips for adding structure to your writing. We hope they help bring your stories to life!

Why Working On Structure Is So Valuable

The art of structuring our writing is an important one, but it can also be challenging. As we piece together our stories, we are creating a narrative, we need our story to flow and to have pace and most importantly – for it to make sense. This is where structure comes into play. Structure is the overall design, layout, and organisation of your story. It is the high-level planning, the story arc and even the movement within your novel.  Although it can feel like a maze when we’re trying to work out where everything goes, it’s a huge step forward to finishing our story!

How To Add Structure To Your Writing  

1. Start with a Clear Outline

Just like a sturdy foundation is essential for a building, a well-defined outline provides the structure for our writing. You can read more reasons why structure is so important for our stories in our blog post.

Before diving headfirst into your piece, take the time to outline your main points, subtopics, and the overall flow of your narrative. This creative writing blueprint will keep you on track with what you want to say and where you want your words to go. Plus, it can help prevent feelings of being stuck by giving you a clear direction to follow as you work through your writing journey. This could also be known as you writing down your ‘plot points’ or creating your ‘snowflake’ if you like Randy Ingermanson's famous method of novel planning.

For some people an outline looks like a 30-page document stuffed with detail, for others, an outline is ten bullet points simply listed rising and falling action with climax points within the story. There isn’t a right or wrong way, you might just need to experiment and see what works best for you.

2. Organise Your Ideas Logically

At this stage, structure isn't just about arranging words on a page. It's about guiding your readers through a logical progression of ideas. To help with this, we should try to organise our thoughts in a way that flows naturally. It's all about making our writing transition smoothly from one point to the next.  Even if you plan to write your story in a non-sequential order and to jump from different time zones, characters or even worlds, you still need some sort of order. You can mix everything up once you know your plan. This will ensure you don’t have plot holes or you don’t confuse your reader.

3. Balance Structure with Creativity

While structure provides the framework for your writing, don't be afraid to let your creativity shine through. We think it’s important to remember that while structure is a valuable part of creative writing, it should be used to help enhance our writing, rather than stifle it. It’s a kind of creative constraint that can be a valuable tool in helping us bring our writing to life.

So, as we try to organise our ideas logically, we should try not to forget to have fun and enjoy releasing our creativity too. Experiment with different genres, narrative techniques, and storytelling devices. Creative play is another important of creative writing. By embracing both the framework of structure and the freedom of creativity, we can craft narratives that deeply connect with both us and our readers.

4.      Revise and Refine

Remember, the first draft is just the beginning. Just like so much of creative writing, becoming comfortable with structure comes with consistency and practice. Take the time to review your work with a critical eye. Whether it’s tightening up loose ends or clarifying certain passages, keep polishing your prose until it shines. And remember the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, you are getting your ideas down, testing them and then you get to make them better.

You could also ask for feedback on your work from someone you trust. This could be anyone from friends and family to a writing mentor. A fresh perspective on our work can open our eyes to new insights and help us build our writing skills even further. Our podcast episode on how to deal with feedback can help you get the most out of the notes you’re given.

Do you have a technique you use to help build structure into your writing? Do you enjoy this element of creative writing or is it one of your least favourite things? We’d love to hear your thoughts! You can get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. process!

I remember the first time I shared my writing.

My hands were shaking, my heart was racing. I desperately wanted to hear what my peers had to say about my work, but at the same time, I was terrified. What if they hated it? What if my story was awful? What if they loved it?

Receiving feedback is a key part of honing our craft as writers. However, it can often feel daunting or overwhelming. Whether you're an experienced author or just starting out, it can take a lot of creative courage to share your work. However, learning how to effectively deal with feedback is a powerful tool for growth and improvement.

In our blog, we'll explore strategies for embracing feedback as a valuable tool, as well as how to transform notes on our work into opportunities for learning. From recognising the value of diverse perspectives to the art of selective notetaking, join us as we delve into the art of handling feedback.

Why does feedback matter?

Feedback has been part of the writing workshop for decades. It’s a well-used teaching pedagogy and a tool we can all implement. It helps to develop self-awareness and allows you to test your ideas. It can help you see improvements from 1st draft to 4th and you can learn even more from giving feedback to others.

As writers, it’s important we also learn how to give useful feedback to our peers.

• It can help us to improve

• We can learn how to spot blind spots in our own work

• We can support our peers and make their work the best it can be!

So, let's dive in and discover how you can turn feedback into a powerful ally on your writing journey.

1.    Embrace Feedback As Part Of The Process

Receiving feedback on your writing can be both enlightening and intimidating. Yet embracing advice as a natural part of the writing process is important to help us grow as writers.

If we can view feedback from a productive perspective, we will come to see it as an opportunity to improve our skills rather than as criticism. One way we can start to do this is by approaching feedback with an open mind.

One of the exciting things about creative writing is that we all bring different perspectives, and these new insights can be valuable in helping us improve our work. Our podcast episode on how to deal with feedback can help you with this.

Try to listen attentively to what others have to say and focus on the constructive aspects of the feedback. A fresh perspective on our work can uncover things we might’ve missed and help inspire us. Even the most experienced writers benefit from feedback, as it can help identify blind spots.

But remember that you don’t have to accept these opinions and you don’t have to agree with them. In fact, sometimes getting feedback we don’t agree with can be really helpful. Whilst we don’t recommend getting into an argument with your writing group members, developing an argument and having a deeper understanding as to why you made a particular decision can be very empowering.

2.    See Feedback As A Great Learning Opportunity

If we can learn to see feedback as a great learning opportunity, it can transform our writing journey. Rather than viewing it as criticism, it’s more productive for us to try to recognise it as a chance to expand our understanding and skills. Asking ourselves what can I learn from this piece of feedback? What has this person shown me that I didn’t see before? Did I have blind spots within my writing or my story?

Each piece of feedback offers a unique perspective, shedding light on areas for improvement or highlighting strengths you may not have recognised. These different viewpoints can enrich our writing with new things. That’s why it’s a valuable skill to be able to approach feedback with curiosity and a willingness to learn.

If you’re unsure of how to give your notes on somebody’s work, you can check out our blog on how to give useful feedback.

3.    Choose Which Notes You Take On Board

It's important to be selective about which notes you choose to act on. We also need to remember that not all feedback is productive and not every suggestion will align with our vision for our work. By taking the time to evaluate the feedback, we can find new possibilities for our writing.

Consider the source of the feedback. Is it from a trusted mentor, a fellow writer, or a casual reader? Additionally, you might want to prioritise feedback that stands out to you and aligns with your writing goals.

Despite how productive feedback on our work can be, we should also remember that we’re the ultimate authority on our work. Our growth mindset can help with this. Not only can this help us to use feedback productively, but we can also channel it to remind us to believe in ourselves. Trust your instincts when deciding which notes to incorporate into your writing process.

Being selective about the feedback you take on board is key. This way, you can ensure that your writing stays true to your unique voice, while still benefiting from other valuable perspectives.

So, why is feedback so valuable to us as writers?

Mastering the art of embracing feedback, is a kind of art form in itself. Although receiving comments on our work can be daunting, there are several benefits to the process too. It's about recognising the value of different perspectives and using them to fuel our growth as a writer.

If you would like to receive feedback on your work why not join our Finish Your Book Course? This group programme will teach you how to give and receive feedback and you’ll gain weekly notes from your peers.

How do you approach feedback and what strategies have you found most effective? Share your experiences with us by writing to info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. We'd love to hear about your journey with feedback and how it's influenced your writing process!

Have you ever had a day where you don’t feel like writing?

Of course you have!

It’s normal. We get it too. But we bet you also have this nagging voice inside you that wants to write. Even though you don’t feel like it. It’s good to listen to this voice. Nevertheless, writing can still feel hard. And this is where list writing comes in. You see writing a list feels easy. It feels achievable. It’s quick. And that’s why it’s magic.

Here at Derbyshire Writing School we often use list writing as a warm-up for our writing workshops or courses. We love a list! It’s not only fun and easy. It’s got a low barrier to entry, even if you’re not feeling creative – you can write a list.

If you’ve never tried it before, the time is now and this post will show you how.

What is a List Writing Prompt?

A list writing prompt is a powerful tool we can employ as creative writers to inspire and guide us within our writing. It’s simply a prompt, a spark, the ignition of an idea that forces our brain to think quickly. To write quickly. And most importantly, it teaches us to ignore that voice in our head that tells us – we don’t have anything to say.

A list writing prompt asks you to write a list about a topic. The items on this list can then be expanded, used as further prompts, or just act as a tool to ‘warm up’ our creativity.

These prompts provide a starting point for our writing. They can encourage us to delve into whatever ideas might be floating around our minds. Whether it's a list of potential character names, captivating plot twists, or even just a list of the things that bring you joy – list writing prompts can help guide us towards crafting something powerful with our words.

Examples of list writing prompts include:

• A list of the best birthdays you’ve celebrated

• A list of the problems your character might face

• A list of your favourite drinks

• A list of the best descriptive words you could use in your book

• A list of titles for your memoir.

How Do You Use a List Writing Prompt?

List writing prompts work by writing at speed. Set a timer for a short amount of time, 30 seconds or 60 seconds and respond to the prompt as quickly as you can.

A useful tip for completing list writing prompts is to always aim for at least 10 responses. Not five, or seven but ten. This again forces you to dig deeper and it challenges you to work fast. This is how you’ll eventually learn to write, whilst ignoring the annoying editor we all have in our heads!

 Why Do Lists Make Such Good Writing Prompts?

 Lists make excellent writing prompts for lots of reasons. Let’s dive in and take a look at just a few of these.

1.     A list writing prompt can provide structure.

Lists provide structure and guidance. As writers, they offer us a clear starting point and a framework to build upon. They’re another version of a helpful creative constraint. This structure helps take away some of that pressure of coming up with ideas from scratch.

2.     A list writing prompt can increase our creativity.

Lists can be about anything, any genre (fiction or non-fiction), any topic or based on any theme. This flexibility means you’ll always be able to find an answer to the prompt. Some lists might be easier to write than others, but with a time limit, you’ll be forced to answer the question. And your answers may surprise you. Challenging yourself like this, on a regular basis will help to increase your ability to be creative and to experiment.

3.     A list writing prompt can lead to more ideas

Lists can act as the start of an idea. We can then expand on this and stretch our creativity. Testing the idea to see what more is there. Sometimes this might reveal there’s no more story to pull. But other times, you’ll find a thread and realise the list was just the tip of the iceberg, the start of the list, or simply the beginning of an idea.

10 List Creative Writing Prompts

 We’ve put together a collection of list writing prompts to help inspire some stories and to encourage you to use these as a warm-up activity for your writing.

We recommend using writing sprints, to provide you with focus to really hone in on the prompt. Most importantly, we hope you have fun with them and see what emerges!

1. Write a list of seven rules for surviving a zombie apocalypse.

2. List five inspiring quotes from influential figures in history.

3. List five pieces of advice you would give to your younger self, reflecting on personal experiences and lessons learned.

4. Create a list of eight intriguing artefacts or relics from a fictional civilisation lost to history.

5. Create a list of five memorable opening lines for a novel, each one setting the tone and drawing readers into the story from the very first page.

6. Create a list of ten unusual settings—from abandoned amusement parks to underwater cities.

7. Write a list of five fascinating scientific theories or discoveries that intrigue you.

8. Make a list of all the different holidays you’ve been on that you can remember.

9. Write a list of five heartfelt gestures or acts of love that have had a big impact on your life.

10. List eight unexpected endings for your story.

How To Turn List Writing Prompts Into Story Ideas

Now what? You’ve made some wonderful lists, and discovered something new, perhaps. But now what do you do with your words?

List writing prompts are a treasure trove of inspiration, but it doesn’t have to end there.  The results of your list writing can offer us endless possibilities for creating fascinating narratives. Here's our advice for turning a list writing prompt response into more of a developed plot or even a personal story.

Step 1: Pick A Prompt

Once you’ve played around with a few different list writing prompts, go back and choose the one that sparks your imagination the most. Or that you feel drawn to. Is there something more to say?

Step 2: Expand On The Prompt

Take some time to dive deeper into the prompt and brainstorm some more possibilities. For example, if the prompt is a list of unusual character traits, consider how these traits could shape the personality of your protagonist.

Step 3: Flesh Out The Details

Once you have the basic idea in mind, start fleshing out the details of your story. Develop your characters, outline the plot, and sketch out key scenes and events. You could also explore any underlying themes or messages that emerge from the prompt and see how these could be woven into your story. Alternatively, you could freewriting around the word or the sentence. Stretch the idea and see what else you uncover.

The Power of List Writing Prompts

List writing prompts serve as invaluable tools for writers no matter what stage we’re at in our writing journeys. They offer structure, guidance, and endless possibilities for creative play and exploration. Dive into the world of list writing prompts and see what stories you uncover,

Have you ever tried using list writing prompts to inspire your writing? What are your thoughts on them? Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

From short stories and screenplays to poetry collections and non-fiction books, creative writing covers a huge variety of writing styles. But what’s so great about it? What are some of the benefits of creative writing?

Four Reasons Why Creative Writing is So Powerful

1. Creative And Fun

At the heart of creative writing, is a sense of fun and imagination. Although having professional ambitions to be published is an amazing thing, it can be easy to get lost in the stress of our professional goals sometimes. That’s why it’s also important to remember why we enjoy creative writing in the first place, and that creativity and fun are at the centre of it.

From writing down a funny holiday story so we don’t forget it, to creating a short story set on a different planet with aliens, creative writing gives us the opportunity to not only explore and discover our own personal writing voice, but also to simply have fun and let our creativity run wild. Sometimes, particularly when life can be so busy, that sense of freedom and fun can be just what we need.

2. Creative Writing Offers Us A Sense Of Freedom

From poetry collections to life stories, there is so much for us to explore within creative writing. Of course, we can choose to specialise in a particular area of creative writing, but there are no set rules which say we can only write in a certain style either.

By embracing creative play and experimentation, we can embark on our personal creative writing journey, discover who we are as writers and test out our ideas. We can discover a favourite style, try new things and enjoy exploring creative writing in all its forms.

3. It Can Be Therapeutic

For some people, creative writing can be amazingly therapeutic. The freedom to unload any thoughts and feelings we might be having on the page can feel like we’re lifting a weight off our minds. It can be a great form of decluttering and release as we transfer our ideas and thoughts from our minds to the page, allowing us to visualise them.

By moving our thoughts from our minds to the page, we can often gain a new perspective on a feeling or experience. Whether it’s a piece of memoir or a character’s speech you’re drafting, creative writing can unlock fresh perspectives and points of view that can help us see new things.

4. Creative Writing Allows Us To Share Our Stories

Anyone can try creative writing and anyone can share their story. At Derbyshire Writing School, we believe that everyone has a story to tell, and part of the beauty of creative writing is that it allows us to share all of these wonderful stories. Whether it’s a fictional novel, a play or a piece of memoir, the world needs to hear your stories.

Creative writing provides us with an open space to share our tales, and there is so much power to this. For example, by reading someone’s story, we might learn a new lesson and discover something we can apply in our own lives. Or perhaps we’re given a chance to enter a new world and be taken on an adventure. You never know what might happen when you share your story.

What Do You Love About Creative Writing?

From a sense of therapeutic relief to pure fun and joy, there are a range of benefits to be found within creative writing.

How did you first discover creative writing? What’s your favourite thing about it? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

It’s that magical time of year again. Christmas trees, amazing arrays of lights on houses and festive songs making their way onto the radio. Whether you’re cooking Christmas dinner for friends and family or spending the festive season in the sun, there is plenty of inspiration to be found for our writing when it comes to Christmas.

But where can we find that sprinkle of inspiration for our writing? What makes Christmas such a wonderful canvas for our writing and our creativity? We will explore these questions in this blog!

1.     Christmas Films And Music

One of the most powerful things about creative writing is how we can find inspiration for new ideas from anything. This includes our favourite Christmas films and music.

Whether Home Alone is your all-time favourite Christmas film or if A Wonderful Life is your film of choice, the storylines, characters and script are just some of the elements we can draw inspiration from during the festive period. For example, you could use your favourite line of dialogue as a writing prompt and see what emerges.

Next time you’re watching your favourite festive film or listening to your favourite Christmas song, jot down anything that strikes you and let those creative juices flow! There is potential for you to find the next plot line for your short story or the title of your next poem. Keep a record of these in your writer’s journal, or you could even create a festive-special writer’s notebook to collect all your future Christmassy ideas in one place.

2.     Christmas Memories With Friends And Family

From a hiccup with that Christmas turkey to a hilarious present from a loved one, we can make all kinds of memorable moments over the festive period. These can be valuable both from a personal perspective and for our writing.

Besides being new treasured memories, these moments can have another use too. We can draw on them for creative writing material. They might inspire a character trait within our protagonist or help us capture a valuable snippet for our memoir. There are so many paths for our creativity to explore!

3.     Christmas Writing Prompts

We love a good writing prompt here at Derbyshire Writing School, and this includes some festive ones! In fact, we even created 25 fun festive writing prompts for you to try! From Santa’s workshop being invaded by aliens to a superhero teaming up with Frosty the Snowman, the potential for fun, creative ideas is endless.  

To help you really focus, you could even try a writing sprint. Set yourself a timer and keep your hand moving. You never know what might paint itself on the page. If you’ve not tried a writing sprint before, you can check out our tips for how to write fast here.

Here are ten Christmas-themed writing prompts to spark your creativity:

1. A young child discovers that their beloved stuffed animal comes to life only on Christmas Eve, and together they embark on a magical adventure.

2. In a world where Santa Claus has retired, a group of elves must find a worthy successor to take up the mantle and save Christmas. 

3. A cynical journalist is assigned to cover a small town's annual Christmas festival and unexpectedly finds love and the true meaning of the holiday spirit.

4. A family's cherished Christmas ornament holds a secret that once revealed, changes their lives forever. 

5. Santa's reindeer go on strike just days before Christmas, and it's up to a group of misfit toys to convince them to return to work.

6. A time-traveller finds themselves stranded in the past during the very first Christmas and must find a way to ensure the holiday's traditions are established.

7. In a post-apocalyptic world, a small community struggles to maintain the spirit of Christmas despite the bleak circumstances surrounding them.

8. A woman receives a mysterious advent calendar that seems to predict her future, leading her on a journey of self-discovery during the holiday season.

9. A group of strangers find themselves trapped in a secluded cabin on Christmas Eve, and they must work together to uncover the reason behind their mysterious gathering.

10. A young girl discovers she has the power to make her Christmas wishes come true, but she must learn to use her newfound ability wisely before it's too late.

Christmas Can Provide Us With Fresh Creativity For Our Writing

While the festive season is a great chance to relax and spend time with our loved ones, it can also provide us with the opportunity to experiment with our writing and explore some fun, festive avenues. You never know what you might create or where it might lead.

Have you got any plans for your writing over Christmas? What do you enjoy about this time of year? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

 As writers, ideas can come to us from anywhere: a photo, a conversation we overhear on the bus, a film. These fleeting moments can provide incredible sparks of creativity. Ideas are born when we sit on a train or go on a walk, as we move through our days our thoughts are working on our stories but be careful, these strikes of genius can be easily forgotten – unless you write them down – and that’s where the power of a writer’s journal comes in.

But what exactly is a writer’s journal and what can we gain from keeping one? What benefits can it have for our writing? Let’s dive in and explore how a writer’s journal can help us on our writing journey…

What Is A Writer’s Journal?

A writer’s journal is a hotbed for creativity. It’s a record of your ideas, inspiration, and creativity. Whether it’s a physical journal or notes on your phone, your writer’s journal is a go-to resource for your creativity. It’s always there for you to draw from and refer to. It is simply a place to capture your inspiration and ideas. But it’s also so much more than that.

It’s one of the best ways to record your research and to help you with your idea generation. It can motivate you, remind you of your core ideas and it can even provide encouragement.

Why Is A Writer’s Journal Important?

Keeping a writer’s journal can be a valuable practice in several ways:

• There Are No Rules – When it comes to your writer’s journal, there are no rules. A writer’s journal can be whatever you want it to be. You can have fun with it, and tailor it completely to you. There are no set rules for the format a writer’s journal should come in, or what genre you should keep notes about. It’s all about capturing your creativity and ideas in a way that works for you.

• A quick reference guide or safe place – Part of the beauty of a writer’s journal is that it keeps all your ideas in one place. You don’t need to worry about forgetting that line of poetry or the character name you’ve created.

•  A writer’s journal is a record of your creative thoughts and inspiration – It’s a concrete collection of your ideas which you can return to over and over again. This also means that you have ideas you can turn to on those days when you’re feeling stuck or struggling to get into that writing mindset. Your writer’s journal is like your writing sidekick.

How Do You Start A Writer’s Journal?

We would recommend one Writer’s Journal per writing project (or book that you're working) on because it gives you this unique place to store all of the ideas and thoughts that you have about this novel, (or work in progress) and this is going to help you if you have writer's block, or if you don't know where to start because you're going to open up this journal and you're just going to be filled with ideas.

It’s also a great excuse for you to buy a new notebook!

What Do You Write In Your Writer’s Journal?

Whether you enjoy doodling, creating lists or brainstorms, you can utilise your favourite method of notetaking for your writer’s journal.

Part of the beauty of a writer’s journal is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Take some time to experiment and test out what works best for you.

At Derbyshire Writing School, we’ve put together some suggestions for how you could get started with your writer’s journal. Take a look…

• Writing Sprints

Setting yourself a timer to write to can be a powerful way to focus your mind on getting some thoughts and ideas down on the page.

For more information on writing sprints, such as why we should use them and how to plan one, check out our podcast episode ‘The Writer’s Toolbox – The Tool of Writing Sprints.’

• Use Writing Prompts

From creative questions to inspire you to write about your life, to our unique Prompt Box, at Derbyshire Writing School, we believe that writing prompts can be a great tool for writers. They can help release our creativity and inspire new ideas.

Writing prompts can come in any form, from photos to a sentence. Experiment with different kinds of prompts and see what ideas emerge.

• Be Inspired By Books

Books of all styles and genres can provide us with inspiration to collect in our writer’s journals. Anything from a particular piece of advice from a non-fiction book to a character’s line of dialogue can ignite our creativity. Try copying out lines of text that inspire you, or use a quote as a writing prompt.

Check out our ‘5 Books To Inspire You To Keep Going’ blog post for some recommendations of books to explore.

Remember: Always make it clear where any direct quotes have come from. We are not encouraging any plagiarism.

• Other ideas

You might even write down dialogue – maybe a character is speaking to you while you're cooking dinner, and you just need to jot that line down. Then imagine, a couple of weeks later, you read a really interesting newspaper article and you cut it out and stuck it in your writer's journal. And when you matched together the newspaper article with the line of dialogue, you realised, hang on a minute, there's something here. There is an interesting link I could make here, a unique twist to my story that I can add.

It's the same thing with overhearing people talking in a coffee shop maybe and jotting down parts of their conversation, or even if different themes come to you and you realise you want to include that in your novel - write it down. Anything that inspires you, anything that makes you want to write, jot it down in this writer's journal.

You could cut out bits from a magazine. You could even draw your characters. Whatever is going to inspire you – put it in your writer's journal. If you have a day where you just feel like you can't write spending time with your writer's journal, going through ideas that are going to kickstart you and help you write, or if not, it's still time well spent.

You can read a little bit more about how Ryan Holiday creates his commonplace book (a similar idea to a writer’s Journal or how Austin Kleon, creates his logbook – looking at the writer's journal in a slightly different way, a bit more of a diary, but that could be something that's more suited to you.

Next steps – How A Writer’s Journal Can Help You Write A Book

When it comes to helping you finish your book, your writer’s journal can be a really useful tool. You can refer to and expand upon all your ideas, from character descriptions to plot points.

You can embrace creative play and explore different forms and genres in your writing. The possibilities are endless.

Let your writer’s journal be the foundation for your creative writing. All the ideas are contained within it, now you can focus on expanding on them.

It's going to help you see how ideas can be matched together. It's going to help your novel (or writing project) become authentic as well, because it's going to be grounded in things that you love and things that have given you passion or inspired you. It's just going to help you learn how ideas can mesh and how research can help you generate even more ideas and material to include in your novel.

We used to think if we spent time writing something that wasn't linked to a novel or a work in progress that it was a complete waste of time. Have you ever felt like that too? As if it’s a waste of time responding to prompts or working on different elements of writing if it wasn't going to add to the word count of a novel. But eventually, if you take time to step back, you’ll see how no writing is wasted.

If we learn to write by writing, anything we write is going to help move us forward. Although it may take slightly longer to get your novel finished, it's going to be better in the end if you have spent the time researching, responding to different prompts or whatever it is that helps you write your book.

The Power Of A Writer’s Journal

No matter what form your writer’s journal takes, you’ll have endless creative possibilities to turn to with your writing.

Even if it’s just 10 minutes 3 days a week, when you dedicate this small amount of time to your writer’s journal, when you make it a regular part of your routine, those pages will soon start to fill up with your creative thoughts and ideas.

If you decide to experiment with keeping a writer’s journal, we would love to hear how you get on! You can get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

We write for freedom, originality, and creativity. But should our writing always be so wild and free? Although there is this wonderful sense of liberation within creative writing, working with creative constraints can also be a useful tool – at times – even leading to more freedom and individuality.

But doesn’t putting boundaries in place prevent our creativity from shining through? Does it hold us back? How can writing within creative constraints encourage more freedom within our writing?

This blog will explore what creative constraints are and how they can help us as creative writers.  

What Do Creative Constraints Look Like?

A creative constraint can take many different forms. Simply put it’s a limitation, a boundary, or even a rule that’s in place to influence your writing style or form. It’s all about discovering the kind of boundary that will help you be the most productive or provide you with a different type of challenge or motivation.

A few examples of a creative constraint could be:

• A writing prompt – a word, a sentence, an image.

• A specific rule, such as writing without a particular letter, or writing within a set genre trope.

• Writing in a new form, or a specific form that has rules or conventions (such as a Haiku poem).

• Following a pattern.

• A set word count.

• Derbyshire Writing School’s bespoke prompt box. The box contains unique creative writing prompts to help you get writing.

So, now we’ve explored what a creative constraint is, let’s dive into how they can be useful within your creative writing…

1.   Helps Unlock Creativity

In those frustrating moments when we’re feeling stuck with our writing, creative constraints can help us solve the problem as it can force us to ‘think outside of the box’.

Something as simple as setting ourselves a writing prompt or exercise can help unlock our creativity and force momentum.

You can tailor this exercise to whatever element of your writing you might be struggling with, from narrative structure to character description or even setting.

In the same way that practising writing habits can help us show up ready to write, working within creative constraints can help ignite our creativity and it can provide a reliable starting point. Often the best ideas are hiding in the places we don’t expect.

2.   Provides A Sense Of Focus

Sometimes, the endless possibilities of creative writing can feel overwhelming. From novels to blog posts, even multiple forms of poetry – there are so many choices to make when we think about what we can write. It can be difficult to narrow down our ideas and find a place to start.

By putting a creative constraint in place, we provide ourselves with a sense of focus. It makes us zone in on something specific.

The important thing is that the creative constraint forces you to write something. Even if you don’t take the writing you produce any further, it can be a good exercise in finding that focus when you’re struggling to get started with your writing. Or if you’re struggling with the dreaded writer’s block.

3.   Gives Us A Creative Challenge

Experimenting is a valuable tool for writers and can help us learn new things about ourselves and our writing. By experimenting with creative constraints, we have the chance to try something new and challenge ourselves. We can push our limits and test our craft skill. 

Putting creative constraints in place can present us with a new creative challenge and freshen up our writing process.

You never know where the challenge may lead. Placing restrictions on our writing has the potential to lead us down unexpected paths.

The change of approach to your writing can provide a new perspective and lead to new ideas.

As you experiment with ideas to fit within the constraint, you might uncover an idea you wouldn’t have done without those rules in place. But more than that, it can make your writing feel exciting and new again.  

Creative Constraints Are A Valuable Tool

Whether a creative constraint helps you overcome that sense of writer’s block or provides you with the focus you need to get started, they can help you move forward with your writing in a number of ways.

Of course, there can be such as thing as too many creative constraints. But when used in balance, they can be a valuable tool for creative writing.

So, how do you feel about working within creative constraints? Are they something you find helpful, or do you prefer embracing the freedom of creative writing? Get in touch and let us know. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

You’ve sweated (and probably cried) over your first draft. You’ve finally typed ‘the end’. You’ve edited and checked and tweaked. You’ve reached the incredible stage of submitting your novel to agents, but then you realise you’ve got to summarise all of this work into a single page. We feel your pain! But don’t worry, we’ve got you.

What is a synopsis?

When you’re preparing to submit your novel to literary agents and publishers, one of the required elements of the submission package is typically a synopsis of your book. But what exactly does this mean? And how do you create a novel synopsis that demands attention?

A synopsis is a short overview of your novel. This must include essential details such as the main plot points of your novel, the ending and character descriptions. Sounds simple, right? Writing a novel synopsis can feel tricky, but we’ve created a simple guide to getting your novel down to a one-page overview.

What is the purpose of a synopsis?

The purpose of the synopsis is to sell yourself as a writer, to sell your idea, but most importantly to sell your novel (or your story).

A synopsis will be read by literary agents and publishers. Although it is often just a single page of writing, it’s an incredibly valuable one and often a huge part of how literary agents make decisions about choosing to take a novel on or not. The synopsis can help an agent or publisher decide whether they think your book will sell. That’s why it’s worth spending time on it to make sure it covers all the necessary elements.

Although summarising your story might sound simple, it can often be one of the most challenging things to get right. That’s why at Derbyshire Writing School, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you write your synopsis!

If you’re feeling stuck during the process of writing your synopsis, or need that extra bit of motivation, check out our recommendations of books that will inspire you to keep going. They’re perfect for giving you the friendly push you need to help you back on track.

So, let’s get started.

Top tips for creating an amazing synopsis 

1.    Plot Your Story

Think of the synopsis as a miniature version of your novel.

Your first task then is to outline the key plot points within your story. This can provide clarity about exactly what happens and when. This will help give you the building blocks of your synopsis and provide you with a foundation to build from. One way to do this is to summarise each chapter as a paragraph, and then as a sentence. If you have a longer chapter, maybe consider your key ‘turning points’ or areas of conflict or even your three acts, this can help you to identify the core elements of your story.

Although there isn’t room to expand on every detail, laying out major points such as the crucial events and your protagonist’s motivation on the page in front of you, can help you prioritise the essential details to include in your synopsis.

2.    Add Detail

Although there isn’t room to discuss the entire narrative arc of your novel within the synopsis, it’s important to check that you haven’t missed any of the essential elements. It’s all about being concise in the detail that we give and ensuring the heart and themes of your novel are present.

Go back over the summary of plot points you’ve written. Have you missed any key events from your novel? Is it clear what your protagonist’s name is? Have you given enough detail about the conflict that drives the story? Have you carefully shown the transformation your character goes through?

Keep checking for these things as you read through. When we’re focused, it can be easy to let some of the small, yet important details slip through the cracks.

Don’t worry about revealing too much, you must share the ending and any secrets within the story. With a synopsis, the focus isn’t on intriguing the reader. It’s all about selling yourself as a writer and selling your story.

3.     Editing

Although many agents and publishers will have specific guidelines regarding the word count of your synopsis, a general guideline tends to be a single page. However, be sure to key the wording and requirements from each and every agent you plan to submit to. Agents often say their requirements are ignored, and this results in many submissions being ignored.

Read back through your synopsis and see if you can be more concise in places. This can be a really good exercise in editing and rewriting.  That sense of restriction can often act as a trigger to focus our mind on the crucial things we need to include.  It can help us be more succinct.

Other tips to consider when writing a synopsis

• Synopses are usually written in the third person, present tense. If your novel is written in a different voice, something to look out for is that you don’t slip into the voice of your novel within the synopsis. This helps to provide distance, you don’t want to add emotion or additional ‘drama’ to your story, the story should sell itself. For example, don’t use descriptors such as ‘a heart-breaking tale’.

• Does the synopsis parallel with the chronology of events in the novel itself? The synopsis should recount what happens in the order it happens, which sometimes isn’t the order of your novel. This can sound confusing but it’s important to share the details in a chronological order, whilst retaining the narrative.

• Check to make sure there aren’t any inconsistencies or holes within the plot.

• If you’re struggling to develop the synopsis for your own book, you could try practising the process using one of your favourite novels.  After all, consistency is often how we get better at things, whether this is developing a writing habit or writing a synopsis.

Most important of all…

Keep going!

At Derbyshire Writing School, we believe in you and your writing. Everyone has a story to tell and the world needs to hear yours.

How do you feel about writing your synopsis? Is it a part of the writing process you enjoy? Or do you find it infuriating? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. We can also help you shape your submission package as part of our coaching programme.

💡Are you an idea person?

✍️ Maybe you find yourself buying yet another new notebook for a writing project?

🥸 Or do you find yourself spending hours creating new characters?

What about finishing what you start?

It’s time to finish your book! We’d love to see you finish that first draft and take the next steps to get your book on the shelves and in your hands.

So, what’s stopping you?

Why You Are Struggling to Finish Your Book

1. You’re not giving it enough time.

 Dabbling with your draft every so often won’t be enough for you to type ‘the end’. You need to commit to your writing on a regular basis. Note this doesn’t mean hours sweating at your desk. Even thirty minutes twice a week is plenty, but when we come back to our writing on a regular basis we find flow, we remember what we wanted to say, and we create movement. Make time for your writing.

2. Maybe you’re bored.

 Dare we say it? Are you fed up with your idea? Is your character just roaming around their world with nothing much happening? Inject some excitement back into your story. Make something happen! Add movement and surprise. Move into the land of ‘what if…’ and add some twists, turns and fun into your words.

3. You're scared you’ve only got one good idea.

Have you ever worried that you’ve only got one good idea, and once that idea has been used up, you’ll struggle to come up with something good? Has this ever stopped you from writing that one idea down? Do you save it for when you’re ready to write something ‘good’? It sounds a bit backwards, doesn’t it?

Often, we’re scared to write, because we think if we write that idea down, we won’t have any more. But our brains like space; they need room to roll around. Emptiness allows them to rest and refuel. If we’re keeping our minds packed to the brim, it doesn’t have space to breathe or develop new stories. Just start writing. You’ll get more ideas when you do.

4. You don’t know how.

Maybe you’re stuck? Maybe you’ve reached a point in your plot that feels like a dead end? Maybe you need to read and research more, or even just spend more time with your characters to see what story they need to tell. Sometimes this learning can be quick, other times you just need space and time to think and reflect. Or maybe you need to ask for help? This could be specialist support (such as coaching) on a particular topic, or even a coffee with a friend as you throw around plot ideas. There’s no shame in asking for help.

A notepad full of your words is great. But finishing your book and printing it, is even better.

Why Finishing Your Book Matters

Lots of people can write ten thousand words. A few more people can write 30,000 words, and a handful of people can stretch to 50,000 words. Very few people then get to ‘THE END’, reaching maybe 80,000 or even 100,000 words. But, unless we finish the book unless we reach the point where we can type the end, we don’t really know what we wanted to say, we don’t really know if we could.

Many people don’t finish their book because they fear failure if they do. It’s easier to say I’m working on it, rather than, I finished it, and it still needs work. But the truth is, finishing a book is the most incredible achievement and it will teach you more than any course or any book ever could. Finishing your book is only something you can do. No one can tell the story that you can. No one can see the world you’ve built, the characters, no one can do it like you can. So, in a way, if you don’t finish the book, then you’ve failed too.

Don’t leave your ideas sitting in a draft folder. Seizing this opportunity to tell the world, I wrote a book!

How can Derbyshire Writing School Help?

Our new group programme, Finish Your Book, will help you to make time for writing. We’ll take part in writing sprints; you’ll give feedback to your peers, and you’ll receive feedback on your writing. We will craft a realistic plan for your final draft as we show you how to edit your work. You’ll also get the chance to bring your writing problems to our mastermind session. We’ll dig deep for solutions and help you move past your stumbling blocks.

What’s stopping you from finishing your book? Here at Derbyshire Writing School, we care about you and your story. We’d love to hear from you and the reasons you’re struggling to finish your novel.

Keep writing, it will all work out.

We want to see your book on the shelves! Take the time, and the action needed, to finally finish your first draft.

Starting a book can be great fun, but finishing it can feel hard, especially when you’re writing on your own. Our ‘Finish Your Book’ group programme can help. Giving you time to write. Gaining feedback on your writing. Setting goals. Learning how to edit. And doing all of this as part of a small, dedicated group of writers.

This is an online programme delivered live via Zoom.

From Frankenstein to Pride and Prejudice to Harry Potter, the world of fiction is an endless arena of creative possibilities. Each story is different, and each character is unique. The joy of reading fiction is not in dispute, but did you know there are many benefits of reading fiction? Benefits that can help us with our writing?

From taking us on an adventure into a new world to alleviating loneliness, there are several reasons why you must read more fiction now, and this blog will explore them. Read on to find out more…

The Benefits of Reading Fiction

1.     Endless Possibilities

Although there are plenty of technical elements within fiction writing that we need to consider as writers, such as narrative voice, structure, and character development, at the heart of all fiction – whether reading or writing – is creativity and play.

There are no rules to dictate what species a protagonist can be, or the planet a book can be set on, for example. With this freedom, play and experimentation, our reading experience is enhanced. There are so many possibilities and unknowns on the pages in front of us it becomes a fun guessing game about where we might be taken next or what might happen. This unknown, this hook of possibilities is endless. And that endlessness provides opportunity. The more we explore how other authors have taken on the challenge, to push boundaries and try new things, the more we can learn how to do this in our own writing too.

With the endless possibilities that fiction provides, we have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the author’s creation and discover new people, new places and new worlds.

Read more fiction so you can learn that possibilities exist everywhere and it’s our job as writers to explore this.

 2.  Reminding us, we are not Alone

Life throws all kinds of hurdles at us. Sometimes, it can be a powerful source of comfort to read about someone else experiencing something similar to you, to see that you’re not alone with whatever you might be struggling with. Especially when this is in fiction.

There could be a specific event that happens within the book that you find yourself relating to. Maybe it’s an unexpected ending to the novel. Perhaps something happened in your own life that you didn’t see coming, and you can see these feelings reflected in the story.

The world we’re reading about, and its characters might be fictional creations, but the connections we form with them can be powerful and reassuring.

Read more fiction to learn how to create a connection with your readers. Explore how emotion is splashed on the page, how we can share real themes or struggles through fiction, and we can allow readers to feel a part of our words.   

3.    Escape

Fiction has the power to transport us to new places. Sometimes, we can become so invested in the story we’re reading, that it feels like we’re right there in the author’s world living alongside the characters. It’s that can’t-put-the-book-down kind of feeling.

Losing ourselves to a story can also provide us with some respite from our own circumstances. We’re given the chance to escape our own world for a while. We can explore new places, follow the protagonist on their adventure and become invested in a different life.

Read more fiction now to escape and dream! Allow yourself to learn through osmosis how to write a book that someone else can’t put down.

4. Reading like a Writer

Of course, all of these benefits add up to show us that reading like a writer is essential. Reading like a writer is an approach to reading where you analyse and study a text with the intention of understanding and learning from the author's writing techniques and style. It involves paying close attention to the craft and structure of the writing, as well as the author's choices in terms of language, characterisation, plot development, and other elements.

When reading like a writer, you adopt a more critical and analytical mindset, looking beyond the surface-level enjoyment of the story or content. You examine how the author uses language to create specific effects, convey emotions, or build tension. You also observe the author's use of literary devices, such as metaphor, simile, symbolism, and foreshadowing, to enhance the narrative.

When you take this approach you can start to understand the structural choices made, and you can gain insights into how to use these techniques in your own writing.

Fiction Gives us so much to Explore

Whether it’s a crime novel or a love story, a sci-fi adventure or historical fiction, the world of fiction spans an enormous range of genres for both readers and writers to explore. By opening ourselves up to these wonderful stories, we also open ourselves up to experiencing the benefits, even those we might not be expecting.

How Derbyshire Writing School Can Help

It can be argued that the beating heart of fiction is the characters. However, the process of making them feel real and alive can also be challenging.

Our Creating Characters Workbook can help bring your characters to life and jump up from the page. It will help you build your characters through a step-by-step process and provide you with activities and tasks to help you understand everything about them, from how they feel to their motivation.

So, what do you enjoy most about reading fiction? Is there a particular character you relate to? We’d love to hear your thoughts! You can email us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

Many of us dream of working as a writer. We can picture waking up, drinking coffee, and getting paid for our words. But is this the reality? And what does it really mean to ‘work as a writer’?

Working as a writer

One of the most wonderful things about writing is that there are so many different definitions of ‘writing’. We could mean journaling, ghostwriting, being a poet, writing non-fiction, it’s endless. But most importantly, it’s personal. This is the same when we think about working as a writer too. From spoken word poetry performances and writing audio drama, teaching creative writing and running writing workshops, working as a freelance copywriter, or even being an author. There is no single definition of how you can work as a writer. The key is about discovering what writing and working mean to you.

It can, however, be a difficult task trying to pinpoint exactly what we want to do with our writing. That’s why we’ve included some methods in this blog post to help you explore what working as a writer means to you.

How to discover what working as a writer means to you

1.    Experiment

Experimenting is a key part of creative writing. It allows us to try new things, gives us a new perspective and allows us to develop our creativity. As well as helping us with creativity, experimenting can be a helpful process in practical ways too.

Not only can we uncover new writing styles we want to pursue, but experimenting also helps to eliminate the things that aren’t right for us. In this case, the ways you don’t want to work as a writer. And that can be a powerful tool as well.

Is there an avenue of writing you’re curious about but haven’t yet explored? Use that self-efficacy and give it a go. You’ll come away with either a new field of interest or the decision that it wasn’t the right thing for you. The result will be productive either way. An example of this could be trying to pitch for article writing work. You could set a target of ten pitches. Or, you could try your hand at copywriting. Ask if you enjoy the challenge, it’s not about being perfect as soon as you start, it’s about experimenting and seeing if something piques your interest.

2.    Self-Reflection

The more specific we can be about what writing means to us, and what we want to achieve, the more confident we will be in our answer to the question – how do you want to work as a writer?

We’ve put together some questions you can ask yourself, or reflect on, to help you discover what working as a writer means to you. Try turning these into writing prompts. Set a timer for a few minutes, and see what answers emerge. This will help you to create a sense of focus when you’re answering the questions, and you can then build on from your answers. 

Writing prompts to help you work as a writer

• What are three writing goals you have?

• What satisfies you creatively? Or, what do you enjoy?

• What do you least enjoy about writing?

• What topics or themes interest you?

• Which pieces of writing are you most proud of?

• What are your strengths?

• What connections do you already have, that could be useful in helping you gain work?

• How do you feel about potentially turning this thing you love (writing) into an income stream? How will you still keep a part of it for you?

• What is your initial instinct as to the work you would like to do? (freelancing, content writing, ghostwriting, etc.).

• What steps can you take today to start moving towards your goals?

3.    Embrace Your Uniqueness

We each must embrace our own uniqueness when it comes to writing – it is, of course, the thing that makes us different. We all have different interests, styles, and tones of voice – and that makes the world really exciting. In the same way, our writing journeys are also personal and unique to us.

For example, organising a writing retreat might appeal to you but not to your friend, and that’s okay. The focus should be on following our own minds and ambitions rather than comparing ourselves to others. After all, nobody else has the same ideas or perspective as you and that’s a special thing. Believe in yourself and your writing and lean into your unique style. How could you use this to create something different?

How to work as a writer

We can work as a writer in so many different ways. The key is working out what that means to you. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s a journey of discovery and learning about who you are as a writer. Once you’ve explored that question, you can begin to move forward on your writing journey.

Different roles as a Creative Writer

Part of the beauty of creative writing is how many potential avenues there are to explore. The skills we can gain from experimenting with the world of creative writing can open up a realm of exciting possibilities. So, what exactly can we do with creative writing?

Writer

When we explore creative writing, we can play with different writing styles until we find our writing voice. From non-fiction to scriptwriting, there is so much choice and freedom. It allows us to try all kinds of writing styles and genres.

Then there’s the technical skills creative writing helps us build. The more we write and the more we practice, the more our skills grow. These can include crafting narrative structure, our editing eye and using language to evoke emotion.

Journalism

Creative writing can also help us develop transferable skills that can benefit a career in journalism. These include research skills, tone of voice and storytelling.

Interweaving creative writing within journalism can help bring a story to life. Journalists armed with creative writing skills can often bring a distinctive flair to their reporting.

Creative writing skills can help infuse articles with vivid imagery and compelling narratives. The creativity can also allow journalists to approach their stories with a fresh, exciting perspective.

Teaching

Using creative writing within teaching is a great chance to really stretch your creative muscles. You can explore new ways of presenting content and different ways to engage students. Creating engaging content can be a powerful tool in making the material memorable and enjoyable.

Creative writing exercises can be powerful strategies for building an environment that nurtures imaginative thinking. This can encourage students to explore their unique voices and perspectives. It can help them find that creative courage and embrace self-expression.

Marketing

Creative writing and marketing have a hand-in-hand kind of relationship. The skills required within both fields often overlap. For example, creative writing can provide the foundation for key marketing strategies such as copywriting and storytelling.

Whether it's developing persuasive product descriptions, engaging social media content, or compelling brand narratives, creative writing enables marketers to connect with their audience on a deeper emotional level.

Further practical steps you can take to work as a writer

1.    Complete the writing prompts in this post.

2.    Review your CV – what transferrable skills do you have? Refocus your CV to showcase your writing-related skills. For example, working to deadlines or showing attention to detail.

3.    Start to create a portfolio of work and collect examples of your writing. These don’t have to be published pieces, they can be things you are proud of, internal work documents you’ve created, or even a personal blog.

Focus on what working as a writer means to you. It doesn’t have to look like what everyone else does.

So, what does working as a writer mean to you? We would love to hear your thoughts! Get in touch at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

Creative Writing Provides Us With Endless Opportunities

Creative writing is powerful. From journalism to teaching, marketing to fiction writing, the versatility of creative writing extends its influence across numerous professions.

Being able to craft compelling narratives is a skill that no longer belongs in the realm of writing novels or poetry collections. Creative writing opens a world of endless possibilities and fulfilling careers.

So, what skills have you gained from creative writing? Do you use these skills within your job role? We would love to hear your thoughts! You can get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

Our writing workbooks will help guide you through some of the trickiest of writing challenges. With activities, strategies, and tools, you’ll learn how to take your writing forward and achieve your writing goals. Designed with the beginner writer in mind, our friendly workbooks are available for you to work through at your own pace in your own home.

We’ve all been faced with the dreaded question: so, what’s your book about?

Heart racing. Panic sets in.

How do you describe your work in progress?

How do you explain the nuance in the story?

How do you begin to share your idea?

 This is where your novel (or story) premise comes in.

So, Then What Exactly is a Novel Premise?

In writing, a premise refers to the central idea or concept of a novel that sets the foundation for the story. It is the basic concept or foundation that drives the narrative and serves as the underlying theme of the story.

It sets the tone and direction for the plot, characters, and themes that will be explored throughout the book. A strong premise can capture the attention of readers and entice them to dive deeper into the story, while a weak premise can make the story feel unfocused or uninteresting.

A premise is typically expressed in a single sentence or a short paragraph and answers the question, “What is this story about?” It should be specific enough to capture the essence of the story, but also broad enough to allow for different interpretations and variations in the plot.

Why is a Premise Important?

You need to know what your story premise is. It can act as your elevator pitch. It can be your go-to book description. But more than that, it shows you understand the core idea of your book. It means you can ‘sum up’ the message, or you can ask a question that tells the idea at the heart of your book.

Your premise should make someone want to read your book.

A Premise Example – Harry Potter

One well-known example of a story premise is “The boy who lived” from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. This premise captures the essence of the story and sets the foundation for the entire series.

The premise refers to the fact that the protagonist, Harry Potter, is the only known survivor of a powerful and evil wizard’s attack that killed his parents. This event sets Harry apart from others and leads him on a journey to learn more about his past and his magical abilities, culminating in a battle against the same wizard who tried to kill him as a baby.

This premise not only sets up the overarching conflict of the series but also establishes the themes of love, friendship, and the battle between good and evil that are explored throughout the books. The simplicity and memorability of this premise helped to make the Harry Potter series a cultural phenomenon and a beloved classic.

Further Novel Premise Examples

1. “A boy and a tiger are stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean” - from Life of Pi by Yann Martel. This premise sets up the central conflict and challenges the protagonist, Pi, to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment while also exploring deeper themes such as faith, identity, and the nature of storytelling.

2. “A man goes on a journey to destroy a powerful ring that could enslave the world” - from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. This premise establishes the epic scope and high stakes of the story while also setting up the themes of heroism, friendship, and the corrupting influence of power.

3. “A teenage girl volunteers to participate in a brutal televised game where only one person can survive” - from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This premise establishes the dystopian world and the harsh reality of the games, while also exploring themes of survival, sacrifice, and rebellion.

4. “A young woman falls in love with a wealthy man, but their relationship is threatened by his dark past” - from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This premise sets up the romantic tension and the obstacles that the protagonist, Jane, must overcome to find happiness, while also exploring themes of class, gender, and the power dynamics of relationships.

5. “A man is wrongly convicted of murder and must escape prison to clear his name” - from The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. This premise sets up the central conflict and the protagonist’s goal, while also exploring themes of hope, friendship, and the corrupting influence of power.

6. “A group of animals must band together to fight an evil dictator who has taken over their homeland” - from Animal Farm by George Orwell. This premise sets up the allegory and social commentary of the story, while also exploring themes of power, corruption, and the dangers of propaganda.

7. “A woman discovers she has supernatural abilities and must learn to control them while also navigating a complicated love triangle” - from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. This premise sets up the romantic and supernatural elements of the story, while also exploring themes of identity, self-control, and the consequences of choices.

A three-step guide to creating your novel premise

By following these three steps, you can create a premise that sets up the central conflict, explores important themes, and captures the attention of potential readers.

1. Identify the central conflict: The first step in creating a premise is to identify the central conflict that your story will revolve around. In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, the central conflict is the protagonist, Pip, struggling to reconcile his aspirations for wealth and status with his humble upbringing and moral values.

2. Consider the theme: Once you have identified the central conflict, consider the themes that you want to explore in your story. What ideas, questions, or issues do you want to explore through your characters and their journey? In Great Expectations, themes of ambition, class, and identity are explored through Pip’s experiences as he navigates the social hierarchy of Victorian England.

    

3. Create a hook: Finally, create a hook that captures the unique and compelling aspects of your story. This could be a tagline or one-sentence summary that grabs the reader’s attention and gives them a sense of what your story is about. For example, “When a poor boy is suddenly given the opportunity to climb the social ladder, he must choose between his dreams of wealth and the values that make him who he is” could be a hook for Great Expectations.

The Derbyshire Writing School Premise Formula

You can also try filling in the blanks, using our tried and trusted story formula to help you create your premise.

A story is about a character, who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it.

A story is about a (add your protagonist), who (wants to/ does something/ becomes/ or tries), and overcomes (conflict/s) to (add cliffhanger or question).

For example:

A story about a girl who wants to try and outrun her grief and her family responsibilities. Escaping from her family she travels the world to dull her pain. Will she realise you can't outrun your destiny, or will she die trying to find her way home?

Creating Your Premise

• Your premise is what makes someone want to quickly buy your book.

• A premise is your big idea. It will express your story in a simple, short way.

• It will answer the questions – what your story is about, what your story is trying to do and summarise your book idea. It will be exciting or intriguing.

• It is specific but broad. Allowing for interpretation.

• It can be the hardest thing you write!

We would love to hear about your novel. Please get in touch and share your premise with us! If you would like more help with your premise join our Novel Writing Course.

Everyone has a book in them. Will this be the year you finally write yours? Our ‘how to write your first novel’ course is a perfect introduction for those looking to learn how to start writing fiction. Whether you’re hoping to get your novel published or if you’re writing just for fun – this course will help you feel motivated and excited to start writing your first novel.

This is an online course delivered live via Zoom.

Getting those words down on paper isn’t always easy. There are moments when it can feel like we’re in a fight with ourselves. It can feel like we are battling to find those words, to muster enough creativity to get started, or to keep going.

Sometimes, this means we need to take a break. Other times, we may need encouragement. But more often than not, a little dose of inspiration can be just the thing to push us forward. To keep us going. And the best place to find this inspiration? Books, of course. That’s why here at Derbyshire Writing School, we’ve put together a list of five amazing books to inspire you to keep going.

Whether you need encouragement to finish your poem or a reminder of the creativity you possess, these books will offer support and inspiration. We hope you love them as much as we do!

5 Books To Inspire You To Keep Going 

1.     The Courage To Be Creative – Doreen Virtue

“Have you ever felt a calling to engage in a creative activity or to make creativity a larger part of your life? Have you always wanted to share a message with the world, inspire others, or make positive changes in society? Do you often get ideas about exciting projects, but rarely follow through?

It takes courage to be creative, and, usually, the bigger your life purpose, the louder your fears. In this book, bestselling author Doreen Virtue shares insights from her 20 years of creative, prolific output.”

Some of our favourite inspirational quotes from this book include:

• “Having a desire for your creation to accurately and authentically express your feelings is a more realistic intention than trying to create a “perfect” product or service.”

• “Once you figure out what you want to express, be bold. Don’t hold back, and certainly don’t dilute your message. Don’t overanalyze or overthink the “realness” out of your creation. Go for it!”

• “Inspiration is like falling in love. It can’t be controlled or predicted, but it can be set things up so that the odds are in your favour. Like love, you know when it happens.”

2.     The Right To Write – Julia Cameron

“For those jumping into the writing life for the first time and for those already living it, the art of writing will never be the same after reading this book. Provocative, thoughtful and exciting, The Right to Write will draw you back again and again as you seek to liberate and cultivate the writer residing within you.”

Some of our favourite inspirational quotes from this book include:

• “Writing is about honesty. It is almost impossible, to be honest, and boring at the same time.”

• “The writing life may strike you as “unimaginable.” It may seem too hard, too daunting, too confrontational. Like the rocky field, it may look like too much work. But the rewards are solid. The gains are real. And on any given day, you need only do an honest day’s words and the rest will follow.” 

• “A certain amount of writing, like a certain amount of miles, keeps the artistic athlete happy and fit.”

3.     Letter to My Younger Self: 100 Inspiring People on the Moments That Shaped Their Lives – Jane Graham

 “If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would it say? Over 10 years ago, The Big Issue began to ask some of the best-known, most interesting and most successful figures in entertainment, politics, food, sport and business to give advice, offer hope and share a few jokes with their younger selves. They opened up, in ways they never had, to interviewer Jane Graham, reflecting on their lives and themselves with affection, sympathy and sometimes disbelief.

Letter to My Younger Self is a revelatory and profound exploration into the wit and wisdom that age brings, and of the unique insights that looking back can reveal.”

Some of our favourite inspirational quotes from this book include:

• Alice Cooper – “When you’re a long-distance runner you never stop. You have this mindset: this race is not over until I’ve won or crossed the finish line.’

• Tracey Emin – “When someone tells you that you can’t do something because you haven’t got the right qualifications, understand that there’s always an alternative way of doing things. For example, when I was 17, I was told I would never be able to go to university because I didn’t have O-Levels, but I managed to get a portfolio together and I learned to draw, and even though I didn’t have the qualifications, my determination showed I had conviction in what I wanted to do.”

• Bear Grylls – “I would also tell my younger self not to fear failure. I went to Eton,  and like lots of schools it was a bit of a survival exercise – especially if you weren’t naturally sporty or super clever, and I was neither. So many kids around me – and I was the same – were terrified of doing anything different, in the class or on the sports field. We never took risks. But that’s the opposite of life, where you have to forge your own path, embrace risk and prepare to get things wrong.”

4.     The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – Charlie Mackesy

“Charlie Mackesy offers inspiration and hope in uncertain times in this beautiful book, following the tale of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a wise horse who find themselves together in sometimes difficult terrain, sharing their greatest fears and biggest discoveries about vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and love. The shared adventures and important conversations between the four friends are full of life lessons that have connected with readers of all ages.”

Some of our favourite inspirational quotes from this book include:

“What do you think is the biggest waste of time?”

“Comparing yourself to others,” said the mole.

 

“We have such a long way to go” sighed the boy.

“Yes, but look how far we’ve come,” said the horse. 

5.     Everyday Storytellers Write Non-Fiction: A Step-By-Step Guide to Noticing Your Life and Turning It Into Stories 

Are you ready to uncover the power of your own story and share it with the world? Your stories matter. It’s time you started sharing them. Maybe you’ve started to jot down your memories, thinking one day you’ll turn them into stories, or perhaps you’ve started journaling, or even just started to think more about documenting your life. But what’s really stopping you from writing? Structure? Voice? Editing? Are you worried about sharing your words? You have a story to tell, and this book will help you tell it. Through practical advice and lots of creative activities, this book will show you how to shape real-life stories into a narrative that flows and engages readers.

This sneaky addition to our list is for those non-fiction writers who need inspiration and it’s written by one of our own - Laura Stroud from the Derbyshire Writing School team.

If you’re searching for further support with your writing, our writer’s toolkit could be the perfect solution. Each workbook has been designed to help you with a specific part of your writing journey, from creating characters to beating writer’s block. Derbyshire Writing School is here to support you and inspire you to keep going.

For more writing motivation, you can also check out our pick of 5 idea-inducing books to boost your creativity.

Have you read one of these books? Do you have a book recommendation of your own? We’d love to hear from you! You can email us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

Our writing workbooks will help guide you through some of the trickiest of writing challenges. With activities, strategies, and tools, you’ll learn how to take your writing forward and achieve your writing goals. Designed with the beginner writer in mind, our friendly workbooks are available for you to work through at your own pace in your own home.

The first time you get your book delivered through the post, the excitement is palpable.

The brown envelope has your words inside! You rip open the package and your book is born.

It’s real.

You can turn the pages. Crease the corners. Hold the story.

From an idea to a Word document to a fully formatted manuscript, through the magic of the print-on-demand process your words have been turned into a book! A real-life hold-in-your-hands paperback book! There isn’t a feeling like it in the world.

Imagine filling your bookshelf at home with your own words. The novel you’ve always dreamed of writing. The memoir you’ve longed to write. The poetry collection you’ve stopped and started. All these ideas you can hold in your hands, through the power of self-publishing.

Your story matters and we want to help you bring it to the world.  

What is Self-publishing?

Self-publishing is the process of creating a book and taking it to market – without the use of a traditional publisher or publishing house. This means taking your book and turning it into a format that can be printed (a paperback or hardback book) or read on an e-reader (such as a Kindle).  

Writing your book is the first stage. Self-publishing is about sharing your book with others.

Self-publishing takes a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to feel hard. It can be fun and professional.

Why is Self-publishing a Good Idea?

Self-publishing has been around for a lot longer than you might think. Many famous authors begin their author careers with self-publishing, and what’s interesting is seeing how this trend is returning. Many bestselling and big ‘traditionally published’ authors are opting for a hybrid model. Mixing between self-publishing and traditional publishing depends on what works as the best deal for them. This is because there are lots of benefits to self-publishing. There are many reasons why it is a good idea:

1.     You have more control over the process.

You can decide on your cover, the layout, the blurb, the character names, everything is your decision. What can happen with agents, editors, or publishers is they have to make decisions based on the market on their personal taste, but what if you disagree? What if they wanted to change the title of your book? Would you be happy? With self-publishing, you have the final say.

2.     You have higher royalty rates.

When you self-publish you can decide your book prices, this means you can decide how much royalty (or profit) you make on each book. With print on demand, you also don’t have to order 100s of copies of your book. Your book is printed one copy at a time. With self-publishing, you can earn anything from 70 – 30% royalty rates on

your books. This is amazing! With traditional publishing, you could be looking at only 5-8% for paperbacks and that’s only after you’ve ‘earned back’ your advance (if you’re lucky enough to get an upfront payment from your publisher).

3.     You can make changes.

 Maybe you spot a typo, or perhaps you want to change your cover, with the click of a few buttons you can make these changes. You are in control, and you have the final say. Maybe you want to add new back matter (the pages at the end of your book that promote the next book), and you can. With traditional publishing, you would have to go through meetings, calls, checks, and updates and it perhaps wouldn’t be as simple as it should or could be.  

4.     You can build direct relationships with your audience.

Self-publishing is also about selling books, and the best way to do this is to build an audience. When you self-publish, you can have the opportunity to collect more customer details (following appropriate GDPR) guidance, to then connect with this community. Give yourself the best chance of succeeding by creating a network of followers and fans. Talk to your audience, check -in with them and get feedback. All of this is made easier when you have more direct access to them through self-publishing. This is especially true if you sell directly (you sell books on your own website, to your own customers).  

5.     You can publish your book without gatekeepers.  

Many amazing books are rejected by agents and publishing houses every day. This doesn’t mean the book isn’t good. It doesn’t mean the book shouldn’t be published, it could be a case of the wrong place, wrong time. It could be the market, the industry, or the fact the agent has reached their quota for the day. Your story deserves to be told and with self-publishing, you can give yourself permission to publish it, don’t wait for someone else to give you permission.

How to Self-Publish Your Book With Style? 

Once you’ve written your book, the publishing process can begin. A lot of the stages of self-publishing are the same as the traditional process. It just means you’re in control and you are doing it ‘yourself’. However, self-publishing doesn’t always mean doing it all on your own. It can mean outsourcing some elements of the book publishing process to help you create the most professional and stylish product possible.

When we talk about self-publishing your book with style, we mean creating a product that you are proud of. We mean creating a professional and error-free quality product that solves a problem, offers entertainment or has a purpose. When you self-publish with style you:

• Don’t want to only publish through Amazon.

• Don’t want to fall for the common mistakes first-time self-publishers stumble upon.

• Want to learn how to get your book out into the world in a professional way?  

• Want to understand more about the publishing process and take ownership?

• Take the steps needed to turn your Word document into a paperback book.

Five Mistakes People Make When Self-Publishing

1.     Rushing the process.

It can be so exciting to see hold your book in your hands, and it can be tempting to rush the process when you know how simple (not easy) it can be. But stop! Taking an extra week or two now to double-check your work will pay off in the long run.

2.     Creating the book covers themselves.

Self-publishing can be cheap (free even), but cheap doesn’t always mean it’s the best option to take. When starting out it can be good to share your work, make changes, and improve when you can afford to, but it’s true what people say about book covers. We do all judge a book by its cover. Not spending money on a book cover is the biggest mistake people can make with book publishing. It can be a ‘giveaway’ to a reader, or worse, it can stop people from considering your words because they don’t like the image on the front. Take time to do lots of research around your genre, the bestsellers, other authors, and trends within your nice or book category. This will help you when considering what cover to choose. Quite often book covers are selected to fit a particular style, and whilst you think it could be good to ‘break this’ convention, really consider how your book would fit on shelves, does it stand out for the wrong reasons?

3.     Not getting editorial support.

Just because you are good at writing doesn’t always mean you will be good at editing or proofreading. We all have different skill sets and getting external editorial support can take your writing to the next level. Whilst this can be the costliest part of self-publishing, it’s always worth it. No one wants typos in their work. Self-publishing with style means getting help to check the details of your work, checking for consistency and clarity.

4.     Not considering the audience.

Millions of books are published each year. Thousands of books are added to Amazon every day, every hour. You need to make your book stand out, and one of the best ways to do that is to know how you are writing for. This is because your audience will be looking for your book, as well as you trying to find them. Without considering who your book is for, you run the risk of your book getting lost at sea! When you know your audience, it’s much easier to market to them. It can be hard to define but spending time on this will never be wasted.  

5.     Thinking pressing ‘publish’ is the end of the process.

Knowing your audience links to this mistake. Pressing publish is exciting, and you should celebrate. But it’s not the end of the process, only the end of the beginning. Lots of people stop here, but this is where the real work begins. You need to market and sell your book and that takes work. Your book won’t be stumbled upon, you need to push it out to the people who need it and who want to read it but need help finding it.

Self-publishing with Derbyshire Writing School

Are you ready to take control of your writing career and share your work with the world? 

Our Self-publishing with Style course provides you with expert advice and guidance, allowing you to successfully self-publish your work. You’ll leave with confidence and a solid plan to take your writing forward and finally hold that finished book in your hands.

Our course will talk you through the most common mistakes, secrets, and the top tips you need to know to self-publish a book to be proud of. We’ll show you how you can get your self-published book on Waterstones.com, or even create a hardback version, whilst keeping the costs low.

We believe in your book. And we can help you turn your dream into a reality. 

We would love to hear from you. Please let us know about your self-publishing questions, problems or ideas, email info@derbyshirewritingschool.com

Are you ready to take control of your writing career and share your work with the world?

Our Self-publishing with Style course provides you with expert advice and guidance allowing you to successfully self-publish your work. You’ll leave with confidence and a solid plan to take your writing forward and finally hold that finished book in your hands.

This is an online course delivered live via Zoom.

Writing about your life can feel daunting. It has the potential to unlock old memories, bring emotions to the surface, and be a revealing process. However, it’s because of these elements that it can also be wonderfully empowering.

Here at Derbyshire Writing School, we believe everyone has a story and life writing is one way to get this out and onto the page.

‘Time is passing – we only have one life, but you have an opportunity to remember the details of it.’ – Everyday Storytellers

It’s important to remember that nobody else needs to see your life writing if you don’t want them to. It can be completely private. By writing about your life, you open yourself up to an amazing learning experience, whether you keep it for yourself or share it with others. It’s up to you. But know it doesn’t detract from the importance of whether you share it or not.

What Is Life Writing?

 Life writing is the act of putting your life on the page. These can be thoughts, ideas, or stories. It can be your most treasured memories, your happiest of days, or reflections on dark experiences. There is no right or wrong way to write about your life. It’s personal. It’s your story and you get to tell it your way.

There are, of course, conventions to the genre of life writing. These are ‘rules’ or agreements that are often made with the reader. You are expected to tell the truth. Your life doesn’t need added sparkle. Your stories are enough as they are. You can’t embellish with life writing. It must be real. That’s the key to it being non-fiction too. It also must be from your perspective, it’s your opinion. So don’t try to write from someone else’s perspective. Write about your experience.

Examples of life writing include:

• Diaries

• Journaling

• Memoirs

• Autobiographies

• Logbooks 

Why is Life Writing Important?

 There is so much magic to be found in writing about our lives. It gives us the opportunity to:

• Learn new things about ourselves.

• Capture memories that we would otherwise forget.

• Reflect on our life, experiences, and behaviour.

• Gain a new perspective on our experiences.

Although it can be scary to put yourself on the page and to feel vulnerable, it can be such a valuable avenue to explore. Keep writing, keep digging and find that creative courage.

Whether you uncover a new lesson from an old experience, gain a new perspective on how you handled a certain situation, or feel excited at remembering an old memory, exploring your life through writing contains so many powerful possibilities.

Try Life Writing With 9 Inspiring Prompts

We’ve put together some questions to help inspire you to explore your life through writing. We recommend freewriting and writing to a timer, as this can encourage creative flow. This technique encourages us to just keep writing, to keep moving rather than trying to think up ideas.

To get the best out of the writing prompts, try to be as honest as you can when answering them. See what emerges and what discoveries reveal themselves to you. Remember, you don’t have to show anyone what you write.

1.    Can you pinpoint a significant experience that has stayed with you? Try to expand on what it means to you. What happened? Where were you? Why did you react the way you did? Who else was there?

2.    When you think about your life so far, what five themes would you use to describe it?

3.    Describe your life using a song title. Can you explain why you’ve chosen that particular song?

4.    Whether it is physical photos or pictures on your phone, which three images stand out the most? What do these pictures mean to you?

5.    Which character from TV, film, or literature do you relate to the most, and can you explain why this is?

6.    Can you list the five people who mean the most to you and write about a favourite memory you have with each of them?

7.    What are the three life lessons that have had the biggest impact on you?

8.    Can you name one thing that you want to achieve in the future and explain the inspiration behind this goal?

9.    When you look back, is there anything in your life you’d do differently? What change would you make and what’s the reason behind this?

We hope these questions help to inspire your life writing! You never know what creative ideas might spring from thinking about your life and experiences. Writing can lead us down so many unexpected and exciting paths!

How To Write About Your Life

Writing about your life can be simple or complex. It can be something you share or something you keep for yourself. You can start today, or you can keep putting it off. The best way to get started is to make a commitment. Try for five minutes, ten minutes, or half an hour, but commit to starting.

Another great way to explore life writing is through Morning Pages. This is Julia Cameron’s technique of freewriting. It is another great way to explore your life through writing. This method is a safe ‘space to be raw and vulnerable,’ and could help ease you into the process of writing about your life. You could think of it as another version of journaling. It’s not about the quality of the writing, but about getting the words down.

From there, you can be more specific about the topics, memories, or experiences you choose to write about. It could be based on themes like school or relationships. Or you could pick a year to write about. Just keep making that commitment to documenting your life.

How Derbyshire Writing School Can Help You Tell Your Stories

If you’d like to explore life writing further, our Memories to Memoir course can help! It’s perfect if you’re looking to start documenting your life through written stories. After all, we all have a story to tell.

How do you feel about life writing? Do you find it daunting to dive into your life, or do you find it therapeutic? Get in touch and let us know. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

You have a story to tell. It’s time to bring it to the page. Our Memories to Memoirs course is perfect for those looking to start documenting their life through written stories. This introductory online course will give you an insight into life writing and you’ll be bursting with ideas ready to start your memoir.