The discipline required to write alongside a full-time job
Trying to write a book while working full-time can feel like living two lives and failing at both. One pays the bills, while the other keeps tapping you on the shoulder, whispering, “What about me?”
Writing alongside a full-time job isn’t about grand gestures or weekend retreats. It’s about showing up when you don’t feel like it. Choosing consistency over intensity. Progress over perfection. Words on the page over perfect prose in your head.
What publishers actually look for beyond “good writing”
It is true; having brilliant prose isn’t enough to get published. After all those hours perfecting your sentences and agonizing over word choices, this feels like a betrayal. But understanding what publishers really want will actually make you a stronger writer and give you a much better shot at getting that yes.
Why creative expression is not a luxury for children
Creative expression isn’t the cherry on top of a child’s education. It’s not a luxury reserved for families with extra time and money. It’s actually one of the most fundamental building blocks of healthy child development, right up there with learning to read and basic numeracy.
Why finishing drafts matters more than talent
The most naturally gifted writer in your writing group probably isn’t the one who’ll get published first. It’s the one who actually finishes their drafts.
Does talent matter? Yes it does. But talent without the ability to finish projects is like having a sports car with no engine. It might look impressive, but it’s not taking you anywhere.
How we are nurturing the next generation of storytellers
At Accomplish Press, we’ve made it our mission to give young people the tools to share their inner worlds and ideas with the rest of us. But nurturing the next generation of storytellers isn’t just about teaching kids to write pretty sentences (though that’s part of it). It’s about fostering creativity, building confidence, and showing young minds that their stories matter.
Happy New Year 2026! Starting with a Blank Slate
Before you dive headfirst into your writing goals for 2026, take a moment to create what I call a “writing manifesto”, a personal declaration of why you write and what you hope to achieve through your creative practice.
Dear writer, you’re exactly where you need to be
As the year comes to a close, many writers find themselves reflecting on unfinished drafts or missed goals. This encouraging article is a reminder that your writing journey is unfolding exactly as it should.
Why you’re not too old to start writing that book
Your years of living aren’t just background noise; they’re your raw material. Every job you’ve hated, every relationship that taught you something, every mistake that made you wiser, that’s all fodder for your writing. In non-fiction especially, deep knowledge of your subject matter is essential. You might not have possessed that expertise in your twenties or thirties. Now you do.
How daily creative writing practice can boost your child’s problem-solving skills
The brain science behind creative writing and problem-solving – When children engage in creative writing, they activate multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. They’re organizing thoughts, choosing precise words, structuring ideas with clarity, and managing several story elements at once: plot, characters, dialogue, and setting. This mental juggling act is exactly the kind of cognitive flexibility that translates directly into academic success.
Getting unstuck: everything aspiring authors need to succeed
The path from aspiring author to published author isn’t always smooth, but it’s absolutely possible. Every successful writer was once where you are now, staring at a blank page and wondering if they had what it takes.
How to inspire your child to start writing stories
Whether your child is naturally drawn to books or seems more interested in video games and sports, every kid has stories inside them waiting to come out. As parents and carers, we have the power to unlock that creativity and help our children discover the joy of bringing their imaginations to life through words.
The magic happens when you start writing. Once your fingers are moving and words are appearing on the page, momentum builds. You remember that you actually can do this writing thing.
Struggling with writer’s block? 50+ creative writing prompts to get unstuck
A good prompt does three things: it gives your brain a specific starting point, removes the paralysis of infinite choice, and tricks you into writing without the weight of expectations. You’re not writing your magnum opus: you’re just responding to a silly scenario about a talking frog or exploring what happens when someone receives an unusual gift.
The magic happens when you start writing. Once your fingers are moving and words are appearing on the page, momentum builds. You remember that you actually can do this writing thing.
How to develop strong characters your readers will love
You’ve probably experienced it yourself: getting completely absorbed in a book because you genuinely cared what happened to the main character. Maybe you stayed up way too late reading because you had to know if the heroine would end up with her Prince Charming, or you found yourself rooting for your favourite character even when she made questionable decisions.
How to turn your child’s everyday experiences into story ideas
Seemingly ordinary moments in your child’s day are actually goldmines for creative writing ideas. Every scraped knee, every argument with a sibling, every trip to the grocery store contains the seeds of compelling stories.
New writers: how to build a writing routine that sticks
When you decided you were going to take your writing seriously, you probably tried to start a writing routine. Maybe you lasted a week. Maybe two weeks if you were really motivated. Then life happened, you missed a day, felt guilty, and gave up entirely.
Why creative writing should be in every school curriculum
Creative writing is not just some “nice-to-have” elective that gets cut when budgets tighten. Creative writing should be as fundamental to education as math and science.
Balancing screen time and writing time: tips for busy parents
Finding balance doesn’t mean eliminating screens entirely or feeling guilty every time your child picks up a tablet. It’s about creating intentional space for other activities: especially creative writing: that can be just as engaging and far more beneficial for their developing minds.
Why parents should embrace their child’s weird story ideas
Research shows that when children craft their own narratives, no matter how unconventional, they encounter situations that demand unique vocabulary, sentence structures, and creative problem-solving.
Want to Self-Publish Your Book? Here’s Why You Need an Editor
When you’ve poured your heart into your manuscript, spent months (maybe years) crafting every scene, the idea of handing it over to someone else for critique feels terrifying. But every writer needs to accept this: you cannot effectively edit your own work. I don’t care how many writing courses you’ve taken or how many books you’ve read: you’re too close to your own story to see its problems clearly.
Debunking the “Natural Talent” Myth Aspiring Writers Believe
The “natural talent” myth is probably the biggest load of nonsense holding back aspiring writers today. Researchers have been studying this for decades, and the evidence is crystal clear: talent is developed, not inborn.