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.

DEAR READER

Writing Magazine

A sense of PLACE • Leo Vardiashvili moved to the UK as a refugee from civil war-torn Georgia when he was 12. His acclaimed debut novel, Hard by a Great Forest, vividly evokes memories of a bygone Tbilisi. Here, he sets out methods of conjuring place that you can apply to your own locations and settings

WRITING FROM THE WOUND • Writing from personal experience is rightly valued, but there are pitfalls. Are you trading your fear, pain, and suffering for commissions, comments, and shares? Greta Solomon explores the minefields inherent in personal writing is easy,’ wrote Ernest Hemmingway. ‘You simply cut yourself open and bleed onto the page.’

Even ghosts die • What does a ghostwriter do? Ghostwriter Joy Hindle outlines what it’s like to be a ghost, what the job of inhabiting someone else’s story involves, and whether the ghosts will sur vive the progression of AI

READING THE SIGNS • Photo by Rii Schroer Sarah Marsh talks about using her experience of exploring her relationship with voice and language as a Deaf writer in her debut novel A Sign of Her Own

Act of GENIUS • Daisy Goodwin talks to Tina Jackson about bringing opera icon Maria Callas to life in her glorious new novel, Diva

Your writing critiqued • James McCreet applies his forensic criticism to the beginning of a reader’s manuscript

THE FIRST BUILDING BLOCK:STRUCTURE, PLOT AND STORY • The middles of your stories need never be soggy again if you follow the advice of author and tutor Ian Ayris on using plot points to progress the line of tension in your narrative

CLAIRE COUGHLAN • A lot of work went into creating the book that landed the debut Irish crime writer her major publishing deal

Novel Ideas • There’s a point at which writing becomes a commercial transaction, says Lynne Hackles

SHELF LIFE • The internationally bestselling US thriller writer picks the stone classics that had the greatest impact on his own writing

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 NEW BEGINNING

Subscribers’ news

Criminal minds • Set the crime scene with yout writing group in these exercises from Julie Phillips

REAL LIFE, great stories • The first of a new regular column on creative non-fiction with Jenny Alexander

Get the write idea • Explore the creative writing potential in various set-ups in these exercises to try right now

CLARE MACKINTOSH • Lynne Hackles talks to the bestselling crime writer, whose latest book is a work of non-fiction about coming through grief

Linked lives • International bestseller Carmel Harrington describes setting the scene for her sweeping new generational saga, The Girl from Donegal

THE GREAT ESCAPE • Alison Chisholm is delighted with a comic poem written in short creative bursts

MURDEROUS INTENT • Does someone get killed in your...