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

Write what you love • Freelance journalist Eugene Smith looks at how the best place to get started writing and selling non-fiction articles is exploring your interests.

FREELANCING Pick yourself up • There’s always an element of risk in freelancing. Esther Chilton looks at what to do when income sources fall through, and shows how it opens up fresh opportunities.

Freelancing: THE FACTS • Thinking of going freelance? First read Patrick Forsyth’s no-nonsense guide to everything you need to take into account in order to make it successful as a business.

Walking the writer’s path: STRUCTURE • In this second part of his three-part series, Leon Conrad, author of Story and Structure:A complete guide, shares some thoughts on how structure can help shape a piece of writing from his practice as a writer and story structure enthusiast.

SOLMAZ SHARIF • The prize-winning poet talks to Lynne Hackles about the paradox of not wanting too much structure but needing anchor points in her day

A LIGHT IN DARK PLACES • Guy Gunaratne’s fiction draws the reader into some of the most disturbing issues of our times – and invites us to empathise.They talk to Tina Jackson about reflecting radicalism in the novel form.

Forever changes • What makes a story? Distinguished novelist Tim Lott explores why you should shape a novel around points of change.

Concentrate ON YOUR CRAFT • Wish you could wave a magic wand to improve your writing? Author Christie Watson, whose books include fiction and memoir, firmly believes that there are ‘rules’ you can follow to make your writing work.

What’s in a name? • How do you decide what to call the people in your fiction? Author James McCreet looks at the tricky art of naming characters (or not).

Empathy: Down in the hole • Walking in your characters’ shoes and understanding their circumstances will make readers believe what you write. Ian Ayris examines the need for a writer to develop the quality of empathy.

ALEX HAY • The debut author describes how hard work and good luck played equal parts in the publication of his historical heist novel The Housekeepers

Novel Ideas Get in the bin • Hold on to your old writing scraps? Lynne Hackles doesn’t think so.

ROZ WATKINS • The author of the Meg Dalton crime series and now a standalone thriller, The Red House, picks five books that made a lasting impression on her

How to write a historical novel AND STAY SANE • Lucy Barker, the author of a new historical comedy about rival mediums in Victorian London, offers advice on giving your fiction an accurate sense of history without turning it into a textbook

World set in motion • Novelist and poet Nii Ayikwei Parkes looks at the choices he made in the opening pages to welcome readers into the imaginary island he’s created for his new novel Azúcar

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: YOUR WRITING BEING SEEN

PROSE

WE WANT YOUR WRITING

Marking Mark Antony

DELIVERING A DILEMMA

WRITING...