Metaphors and Similes . . . what’s the Difference? You probably use both in your writing without even thinking . . . but if you did think about them, maybe you could use them in even better ways? (Plus of course you can dazzle your friends at parties with your knowledge, hehe!)

Most of you will know that similes and metaphors are a form of figurative language, used to build up a picture in readers’ minds, create atmosphere and add interest. The Bible is full of both. But do you know . . .

In stories for children and young adults, it’s important that it’s the young people themselves who win through, with little (or no) adult help. They are the ones who should be . . .

One of our writers in the Monthly Membership Programme said to me recently, “I have no shortage of ideas but I am easily put off or distracted. A fault of mine, I think.”

Hmm, I don’t think that’s an unusual problem – I think we all

Today I am delighted to bring you 3 tips from author of The Ticking Box, Rev Mark Cowling! After successfully completing the Write for a Reason course, Mark was determined to use his gift and get his stories into print. He has now sold more than 600 copies of his first book . . .

I recently had a week’s break in the beautiful Lake District, in the north of England. Arthur Ransome set many of his Swallows and Amazons novels there, which I read and re-read as a child, always hoping the next one in the series would be . . .

How many goodies and baddies does your story have? You need some great baddies so you have a story! You also need your protagonist to be essentially inspiring, so your readers will root for them.

But what about . . .

Good morning Christian writers! Here’s a writing tip on theme – could you write a story on a particular issue young people are facing?

One thing we do in the Write for a Reason course is a bit of research into the background of our target readers. Some of the questions we ask potential readers are: What do they . . .

Is daily writing a realistic goal?

Some habits are good for us. It’s good to read the Bible and pray every day, to clean our teeth morning and evening, to have breakfast, to be punctual, to go to church, to spend time with our family, to exercise . . .

Have you ever attributed human emotions/thoughts to an inanimate (or at least a non-human) object? Personification is a useful way to add atmosphere to . . .