Writing Magazine

The saying goes that “everyone has a story in them” and it’s the mission of Writing Magazine to help you get yours out. Brought to you by real experts who know what it takes to improve your writing or get published, this monthly magazine is a must-have for all writers. Whether you write fiction, poetry, drama, children’s books, non-fiction or anything else, each issue features tips, practical exercises and real-life advice, that will not only help you get all that creativity onto the paper but also, get your name and profile out into the industry. With writing masterclasses from professionals, industry news, events listings, competitions where you can submit your work for fantastic prizes and real paid writing opportunities, Writing Magazine has everything you need to hone and improve your talents.

WELCOME

WELLBEING for writers: HOW TO MAKE YOUR WRITING DREAMS COME TRUE • In part two of her series that will empower you to create writing success, Sophie Hannah explains why believing in seemingly impossible dreams can lead to unbelievable results

BREAKING THE RULES: How to write genre-busting fiction • Gritty police procedurals and the supernatural may not seem a natural blend but as novelist Caroline Green explains, it’s all about world building and conflict

FOLLOW THE SCIENCE • In crime fiction, factual scientific accuracy can make or break the credibility of your book.Author and crime science advisor Brian Price looks at getting it right – and getting it wrong

BEAT THE BLOCK! • Stuck with your writing? Jenny Alexander looks at five kinds of writer’s block and how to power through them

Past present and future • Beloved novelist Freya North has surpassed herself with a new tale of growing up and coming to terms with the past. She talks to Tina Jackson about memory and the magic involved in the craft of writing

Older writers: MORE ROOM AT THE TOP • Have you come to writing later in life, and worry that you might have missed the boat? Far from it! Novelist Christine Cohen Park explores the new interest from publishers in books written by women in their 70s and 80s

Corresponding with the past • Author Julie Hankey describes how a heap of letters ended up as family history, and offers advice for other writers wondering whether to use family letters as material in their work

Your writing critiqued • James McCreet applies a forensic micro-critique to the beginning of a reader’s manuscript

THE FIRST BUILDING BLOCK: PLOT AND STORY (PART TWO) • Author and creative writing tutor Ian Ayris explores how you can embed drama and build tension as you plot your story

JULIE MA • The comic novelist runs through the long slog before a big competition win changed everything

The beautiful dream • Make sure one idea doesn’t stymie all your other possibilities, says Lynne Hackles

SHELF LIFE • The acclaimed novelist picks five books that influenced his own idiosyncratic approach to literature

The world of writing • What goes through a writer’s brain? Readers’ letters and dispatches from the wide world of writing

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: YOUR WRITING WHY I W RITE

Subscribers’ news

Fruit salad • Keep your writing group fruity with these exercises from Julie Phillips

Get the write idea • P ut characters in situations and see how they evolve in these creative writing ex ercises to try right now

TONY KENT • The fast-paced thriller author talks to Lynne Hackles about the demands of his day job as a criminal barrister and the importance of authentic fight scenes

Tricks up her sleeve • Novelist Liz Hyder writes about creating the tricks that set the scene in The Illusions, a spellbinding story of magic and moving pictures

A TWIST IN THE TAIL • Alison Chisholm is enchanted by an...