7 Mistakes you’re making with a blank page (and how to fix them)
This article tackles one of the biggest challenges writers face: the dreaded blank page. The fear of the blank page is often caused not by a lack of ideas, but by habits and mindsets that sabotage progress before the writing even begins.
The article identifies seven common mistakes writers make. For each mistake, practical solutions are offered, such as embracing messy first drafts, focusing on progress over perfection, and trusting your natural voice.
The key message is simple: writing a book is not about brilliance or perfection. It’s about persistence, consistency, and showing up even when the page is blank. The only way to defeat the blank page is to start writing.
Creative indoor activities for book-loving kids
This article gives parents practical and creative ways to keep book-loving kids engaged during the summer holidays. Rather than simply reading books, children are encouraged to interact with stories through activities such as creating book trailers, designing character scrapbooks, rewriting endings, building fictional worlds, casting movie adaptations, and starting book review blogs or Bookstagram accounts.
These activities help children develop critical thinking, creativity, storytelling skills, and confidence while making reading more interactive and fun. The article also highlights how these projects can be a natural stepping stone from being a reader to becoming a writer.
My child loves writing: what should I do next?
This article is a practical guide for parents who have realised that their child has a genuine love of writing. It explains that once a child begins filling notebooks with stories, poems, or even their own comics, the next step is to nurture that passion without turning it into pressure.
Parents should take their child’s writing seriously, create a dedicated writing space, fuel their creativity through reading, and focus on storytelling rather than grammar in the early stages. It also highlights the importance of celebrating their work, entering writing competitions, and seeking professional guidance when appropriate.
Most importantly, it reminds parents that writing is a craft that grows through encouragement, confidence, and consistent practice. With the right support, a child who loves writing today could become a published author tomorrow.
Memoir or Business Book? Helping professional women choose the right format for their story
This article helps professional women decide whether their story is best suited as a memoir, a business book, or a hybrid of both. It explains that a memoir focuses on personal transformation, emotional truth, and life experiences, while a business book is designed to teach, solve problems, and establish authority in a specific field.
For many women, the ideal solution is often a business memoir – a book that combines powerful personal stories with practical lessons and professional expertise. The article encourages aspiring authors to think carefully about their goals, audience, desired impact, and level of personal vulnerability before choosing a format.
It also addresses the common trap of overthinking and procrastination, reminding writers that clarity often emerges through the writing process itself. Ultimately, the message is simple: your story has value, and the most important step is to start writing.
Why creative writing is one of the best holiday activities for children
This article highlights why creative writing is one of the most valuable holiday activities for children aged 9–15. While many parents worry about boredom, excessive screen time, and the “summer slide” during school breaks, creative writing offers a fun and engaging way to keep young minds active.
The article explains how writing helps children maintain and improve literacy skills, including grammar, vocabulary, critical thinking, and communication. It also provides a safe outlet for self-expression, helping children process emotions, build empathy, and develop emotional intelligence.
Beyond academic benefits, creative writing encourages creativity, reduces screen time, and boosts confidence. Completing a story gives children a sense of accomplishment and ownership that can positively impact other areas of their lives.
The article also shares practical tips for motivating reluctant writers and suggests joining a writing community or summer storytelling programme to help children stay inspired and engaged throughout the holidays.
Conflict: Why your characters need a “No” before they get a “Yes”
I’ve seen it happen so many times. A talented writer comes to me with a beautiful premise, lovely prose, and characters they clearly adore. But about thirty pages in, the story just… stalls. It feels like a car that’s run out of petrol on a flat road. There’s no momentum, no urgency, and honestly, no […]
Stickers, stories and sweets: using rewards to keep your child motivated to write
This article explores how parents can motivate children to keep writing without turning creativity into a chore. Many children start stories with excitement but quickly lose momentum because writing can feel difficult, frustrating, or overwhelming.
The article explains how small rewards such as sticker charts, treats, screen-time swaps, and celebrating milestones, can help children push through the challenging parts of the writing process. It emphasises the importance of rewarding consistency and effort, not just finished stories.
Most importantly, the article encourages parents to balance external rewards with intrinsic motivation by giving children choice, autonomy, and a supportive creative environment.
The core message: writing confidence grows through encouragement, consistency, and making storytelling feel joyful rather than stressful.
Conversations: The secret to writing dialogue that flows instead of clunks
This article explores why writing natural, engaging dialogue is one of the hardest and most important skills in fiction writing. Great dialogue should feel realistic without copying real-life conversation word for word, which is often repetitive and dull.
The article explains common mistakes that make dialogue sound clunky. It also highlights the importance of subtext, rhythm, action beats, and reading dialogue aloud to improve flow.
The core lesson: dialogue should move the plot, reveal character, and create tension naturally.
Aspiring to Actual Writer: when you finally decide to start writing
This article explores the powerful moment when a writer moves from dreaming about writing to actually doing it. While imagining stories feels exciting and easy, the real transformation happens when you commit to the process and face the reality of writing a first draft.
It highlights the key mindset shift from “aspiring writer” to “active writer,” emphasising the importance of embracing imperfection, building discipline, and creating time intentionally.
Writing requires structure, consistency, and the willingness to push through resistance, especially during the difficult “messy middle” where many writers give up.
Screens vs. Pages: The Sensory Magic of Reading Physical Books for Kids
This article explores why physical books still play a vital role in children’s development in a screen-dominated world. While technology has its place, reading physical books offers a unique sensory experience that supports deeper learning, focus, and creativity.
Unlike screens, books engage multiple senses: touch, sight, and even smell, helping children build stronger memory, comprehension, and emotional connections to reading. Physical books also reduce distractions, allowing for deeper concentration and immersion in stories.
Reading from paper encourages patience, imagination, and descriptive thinking, all of which are essential for strong writing skills.
The core message: balancing screen time with physical books helps children become more focused, creative, and confident readers and writers.