The Writers' Studio

Paul Thomas Anderson, writer and director of films including Boogie Nights, Punch Drunk Love and The Master, shares some essential writing tips:

6 Essential Writing Tips From Paul Thomas Anderson Writing is hard. So why not listen to how the greats do it? Check out these great writing tips from Paul Thomas Anderson.

Everyone is unique. There is no one like you. Authenticity is the only style worth having.

“We have trouble connecting with our confident writing voice that is inside all of us, and even when we do connect and write well, we don't claim it. I'm not saying that everyone is Shakespeare, but I am saying everyone has a genuine voice that can express his or her life with honesty, dignity and detail. There seems to be a gap between the greatness we are all capable of and the way we see ourselves and, therefore, see our work. This happens all the time. People fail to recognise who they really are. We are slow to realise the greatness inside ourselves.” Natalie Goldberg

"The first page is your make-or-break moment. The 250 words in which your reader – be it a literary agent or bookstore browser – decides to either turn the page or close the book forever."

Read these handy tips for writing your opening scene:

The 21 Best Tips for Writing Your Opening Scene The first page is your make-or-break moment. The 250 words in which your reader – be it a literary agent or bookstore browser – decides to either turn the page or close the book forever. For. Eh. V…

"What is the key to creativity, and how does it help our mental health? Beverley D'Silva speaks to Artist's Way author Julia Cameron and others about 'flow', fear and curiosity."

Why being creative is good for you What is the key to creativity, and how does it help our mental health? Beverley D'Silva speaks to Artist's Way author Julia Cameron and others about 'flow', fear and curiosity.

The most important quality in any work of fiction is to keep the reader wanting to turn the page and know what happens next. One major key in achieving this is to develop creative tension on the page using the tools and techniques of classic storytelling. It doesn’t happen by accident. This is the art and craft.

“Is there anything that keeps us turning the pages other than conflict? Maybe, but not for long. The secret of successful storytelling is no secret. Conflict on every page. I do not mean crude, gun-in-your-face action; I mean real, immediate, unavoidable tension, obstacles, problems … whatever you want to call them. Look at the great novels, Absolute Power or Jane Eyre, or anything in between. They’ve all got tons of conflict.” Donald Maass, New York Literary agent and author of ‘Writing the Breakout Novel’.

Lyn Squire breaks down the elements that draw readers to beloved mystery series, and why they are successful.

Read the full article here...

Beloved Mystery Series, and Why They Are Successful What makes an outstanding mystery series? At a minimum, each book in the series must meet professional standards with respect to plot (especially important for mysteries), characters, setting and …

If you're looking to finally make your dream of becoming a writer a reality, join our first 4-Week Unlocking Creativity Online Writing Course for 2025 on the 22nd of January.

This practical and inspirational 4-Week online creative writing course will take you on a profound journey and give you the tools and techniques to dramatically improve your writing.

Enjoy the support and camaraderie of a small like-minded group, while working with your personal online tutor.

Please visit our website for all information, including more reviews from course participants.

Hope to see you join our wonderful community!

An important reminder as we start the new year!

An idea if you're a bit stuck this weekend!

Is this you?

The E.L. Doctorow quote is one of our favourites at the Writers’ Studio. We use it to help explain the dance between structure and imagination.

The structure provides the emotional and dramatic track your story goes down so that when you write, you can connect with the emotion of your main character and follow the headlights of your imagination. To do this you need to see and feel the world through your character’s eyes and get that on the page.

“I wanted to write about country as if I were there, like Cezanne had done in painting. You had to do it from inside yourself. There wasn't any trick. No one had written about country like that. I felt almost holy about it. It was deadly serious. You could do it if you would fight it out, if you lived right with your eyes. So that when you had read something by me you actually experienced the thing.” Hemingway

In this wonderful article, Bryan VanDyke explores the importance of spontaneity and chaos in the writing process.

Read it below:

A Bag Full of Trouble: How I Found My Way Into My Debut Novel Some time ago–a decade at least, but it feels longer–a literary agent read a manuscript that I’d written and told me that she loved it, loved my style, but the book felt too calculated, too much li…

Fiction to look out for in 2025...

Fiction to look out for in 2025 An epic family saga, new novels from Natasha Brown and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, plus a David Szalay masterpiece… the coming year looks good

As we step into 2025, it’s a time for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the things that matter most. Each new year is a blank page, waiting for you to write your story.

What do you want this chapter of your life to look like? What challenges will you embrace, and what dreams will you dare to pursue? The beauty of a new year is that it holds infinite possibilities.

If you’ve been holding onto a story, an idea, or a creative goal, now is the time to take action. Set aside the doubts and distractions. Remember, every great story begins with a single sentence, and every journey starts with a single step.

Here’s to a year of courage, creativity, and connection. Wishing you a 2025 filled with inspiration, joy, and the determination to make your dreams a reality. Let’s make this year unforgettable.

Happy New Year from The Writers' Studio! 🎉

Are you looking for some inspiration this holiday break?

Try these picture prompts to get the words flowing...

125 Picture Prompts for Creative and Narrative Writing What story can these images tell?

The best definition of success I have heard is: ‘Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal.’

Excellence is a commitment to completion. The biggest mistake many writers make is they don’t finish their story.

“The trouble is that when you're just beginning to write, you may believe that words committed to paper are sacred, fixed, immutable. But you're not dealing with a finished, printed, copyrighted book; only with an idea, a pile of words that change shape many times before they take shape as a book.” Dorothy Bryant

"Rejection gave me a fresh start, a new year. The first of January of the rest of my life."

Jami Attenberg on how one professor’s criticism gave her the boost she needed to find her own way into a writing career.

Read the full article here...

Jami Attenberg: ‘Rejection gave me a fresh start, a new year’ The American author on how one professor’s criticism gave her the boost she needed to find her own way into a writing career

Don't wait to pursue your passions for later...