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Writing Secrets: Revelations need not bash readers over the head
by Jo-Anne Richards on 3rd Dec 2019 at 5:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Let the clues fall lightly
by Jo-Anne Richards on 27th Nov 2019 at 5:00 am
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Writing Secrets: We like a little bad – but not too much
by Jo-Anne Richards on 20th Nov 2019 at 5:00 am
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Join us for breakfast and some literary fun at Casa Labia on Saturday 7 December
by Jo-Anne Richards on 19th Nov 2019 at 5:00 am
The creative writing workshop will be of equal benefit to more experienced writers wanting to augment their skills, and to those with no experience at all, who are looking for a place to start.
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Writing Secrets: The humbling lessons we learn from writing
by Jo-Anne Richards on 13th Nov 2019 at 5:00 am
Writing can teach you as much about yourself as it can about the craft. Over the past weeks, I’ve been sharing with you the advice of a few of our mentoring participants – those who are […]
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Writing Secrets: A little bridge over all that mud
by Jo-Anne Richards on 6th Nov 2019 at 5:00 am
The middle can be the most daunting part of the book to push through. The beginning rushes out after you’ve been thinking about your story for months. But the middle is where writers get stuck, […]
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Writing can be dangerous – it might just change your life
by Jo-Anne Richards on 31st Oct 2019 at 5:00 am
Twenty years ago, I was a young mother scribbling away in a back room. The next thing I knew, I was spirited away to launches in London, in Germany, all over South Africa. It was my first book, The […]
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Writing Secrets: Think about every word on the page
by Jo-Anne Richards on 30th Oct 2019 at 5:00 am
Last week, and in the next couple, I am featuring the writing advice of our mentoring participants – those who are finishing a first draft, in the middle or who have recently begun.
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Beware – one book can change your life
by Jo-Anne Richards on 24th Oct 2019 at 5:00 am
A year or two ago, I was approached at a book fair by a woman with an American accent. She told me a story I can’t resist sharing. Some twenty years back, while visiting London, Carole picked […]
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Writing Secrets: The pleasure of taking things more slowly
by Jo-Anne Richards on 23rd Oct 2019 at 5:00 am
In our mentoring programme, we have a number of writers who are either just beginning, in the middle, finishing a first draft or working on a second. I asked a couple of them to share with you what […]
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The book that just won’t lie down
by Jo-Anne Richards on 18th Oct 2019 at 6:00 am
In 1996 my first novel, The Innocence of Roast Chicken, appeared – and changed my life. Its success took me completely by surprise. The book shot to number one in South Africa in the week it […]
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Writing Secrets: A story needs to go somewhere
by Jo-Anne Richards on 16th Oct 2019 at 5:00 am
Just because something is “true”, just because it happened, doesn’t mean it’s a story. This came up recently because we were assessing a manuscript – a memoir – […]
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Writing Secrets: A piece of writing is like a set of dominoes
by Jo-Anne Richards on 9th Oct 2019 at 5:00 am
A piece of writing is like a set of dominoes. Overset one aspect and you overset all those that follow. We come across this problem a great deal in our mentoring programme. Each scene follows […]
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Writing Secrets: The problem with the holy trinity of writing advice
by Jo-Anne Richards on 2nd Oct 2019 at 5:00 am
If you’ve been trying to write, you will no doubt have been challenged to adhere to the holy trinity of writing advice: write what you know, find your voice and show rather than tell. The first […]
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October/November 2019 Flash Fiction Challenge
by Jo-Anne Richards on 1st Oct 2019 at 12:03 pm
All About Writing’s latest writing challenge offers the winner a literary assessment on 5000 words of writing worth R 2750 / £ 150 or a voucher to the same value to use […]
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Writing Secrets: Break the rules like an artist
by Jo-Anne Richards on 25th Sep 2019 at 5:00 am
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Enjoy a bit of literary fun with a creative writing workshop in Muizenberg
by Jo-Anne Richards on 19th Sep 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: How to sustain the fun of writing
by Jo-Anne Richards on 18th Sep 2019 at 5:00 am
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Writing Secrets: A gathering of creative minds
by Jo-Anne Richards on 11th Sep 2019 at 5:00 am
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Writing Secrets: How to find, or make, that room of your own
by Jo-Anne Richards on 3rd Sep 2019 at 5:00 am
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Writing Secrets: That complex, difficult, miraculous process
by Jo-Anne Richards on 28th Aug 2019 at 5:00 am
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Writing Secrets: What writers need most of all
by Jo-Anne Richards on 21st Aug 2019 at 5:00 am
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Writing Secrets: A life full of troubles? Great, use them
by Jo-Anne Richards on 14th Aug 2019 at 6:00 am
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August Newsletter: Sharing the joy of writing
by Jo-Anne Richards on 8th Aug 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Choose a character you can embody
by Jo-Anne Richards on 7th Aug 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Endings should never whimper
by Jo-Anne Richards on 31st Jul 2019 at 6:00 am
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All About Writing August Jamboree: Free courses and webinars
by Jo-Anne Richards on 25th Jul 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Writing isn’t for sissies – get used to it
by Jo-Anne Richards on 24th Jul 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Beware the narrator who knows too much
by Jo-Anne Richards on 17th Jul 2019 at 6:00 am
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You’re Invited: Cape Town Creative Saturday 3 August
by Jo-Anne Richards on 16th Jul 2019 at 4:30 am
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Writing Secrets: Every little sentence is sacred
by Jo-Anne Richards on 10th Jul 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: How to judge your own writing
by Jo-Anne Richards on 3rd Jul 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: No need for a war or a car chase on every page
by Jo-Anne Richards on 26th Jun 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: A character needs ‘oomph’ to power a story
by Jo-Anne Richards on 19th Jun 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: One magical point for better writing
by Jo-Anne Richards on 12th Jun 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Writing takes thought – so look beyond the obvious
by Jo-Anne Richards on 5th Jun 2019 at 6:00 am
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Enter our June/July Flash Fiction Challenge for a literary assessment or a voucher
by Jo-Anne Richards on 4th Jun 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: The vast canvas calls, but don’t neglect the miniature
by Jo-Anne Richards on 22nd May 2019 at 6:00 am
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You’re Invited: Cape Town Creative Saturday
by Jo-Anne Richards on 21st May 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Why you need to trust your reader
by Jo-Anne Richards on 15th May 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: How to show not tell with small details
by Jo-Anne Richards on 8th May 2019 at 6:00 am
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You’re Invited: Free Story Webinar
by Jo-Anne Richards on 3rd May 2019 at 6:23 pm
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Writing Secrets: The one core ingredient for being a writer
by Jo-Anne Richards on 1st May 2019 at 6:00 am
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An early bird gift to keep your writing from “sagging in the middle”
by Jo-Anne Richards on 25th Apr 2019 at 7:10 am
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Writing Secrets: The one word you should not be using
by Jo-Anne Richards on 24th Apr 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Why you shouldn’t be using dialogue tags
by Jo-Anne Richards on 15th Apr 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: The “folksy” language debate – should you be using slang in your writing?
by Jo-Anne Richards on 10th Apr 2019 at 1:06 pm
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April Newsletter: We’d like you to ask you two questions
by Jo-Anne Richards on 9th Apr 2019 at 7:00 am
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Announcing the winners of our February/March writing challenge
by Jo-Anne Richards on 7th Apr 2019 at 7:01 pm
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April/May 2019 Writing Challenge: Working with subtlety
by Jo-Anne Richards on 6th Apr 2019 at 8:27 am
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Writing Secrets: Drama leaks away in retrospect – in life and story
by Jo-Anne Richards on 3rd Apr 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Who cares if you feel it – just make sure we do
by Jo-Anne Richards on 27th Mar 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Never rush a fight
by Jo-Anne Richards on 20th Mar 2019 at 6:00 am
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You’re Invited: Cape Town Creative Saturday
by Jo-Anne Richards on 14th Mar 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Grand realisations – lesson from a master
by Jo-Anne Richards on 13th Mar 2019 at 4:00 am
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March Newsletter: What draws us to write about our travels?
by Jo-Anne Richards on 12th Mar 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: What does it mean to be a writer?
by Jo-Anne Richards on 6th Mar 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Details are your magic carpet
by Jo-Anne Richards on 27th Feb 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Prepare for a volcano
by Jo-Anne Richards on 20th Feb 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Fool yourself with files
by Jo-Anne Richards on 13th Feb 2019 at 4:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Characters who hijack the story
by Jo-Anne Richards on 6th Feb 2019 at 5:00 am
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Unveiling the results of our December/January Writing Challenge
by Jo-Anne Richards on 5th Feb 2019 at 9:20 am
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Writing Secrets: Write with more flow – use a character
by Jo-Anne Richards on 30th Jan 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Excuse me, your theme is showing
by Jo-Anne Richards on 23rd Jan 2019 at 6:00 am
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You’re invited: Follow your writing dreams down Venice’s Grand Canal
by Jo-Anne Richards on 22nd Jan 2019 at 6:00 am
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You’re Invited: Cape Town Creative Saturday
by Jo-Anne Richards on 17th Jan 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Why boredom is good for you
by Jo-Anne Richards on 16th Jan 2019 at 8:03 am
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January Newsletter: A compendium of writing advice
by Jo-Anne Richards on 15th Jan 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Putting the intentions into practice
by Jo-Anne Richards on 9th Jan 2019 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: No resolutions, please. Here’s what to do instead.
by Jo-Anne Richards on 2nd Jan 2019 at 6:00 am
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Sign up now for a creative 2019 – and save money
by Jo-Anne Richards on 21st Dec 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: See the world through a writer’s eyes
by Jo-Anne Richards on 19th Dec 2018 at 6:00 am
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A literary festive season: Gifts for writers of all kinds – and a gift for you
by Jo-Anne Richards on 18th Dec 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Writing practice for holiday-makers
by Jo-Anne Richards on 12th Dec 2018 at 6:00 am
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Write, daydream – and make the world a better place
by Jo-Anne Richards on 11th Dec 2018 at 6:00 am
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In Perspective: December 2018/January 2019 Writing Challenge
by Jo-Anne Richards on 8th Dec 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Pay attention to character … oh, and story, and …
by Jo-Anne Richards on 5th Dec 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Your worst nightmare can be your greatest gift
by Jo-Anne Richards on 28th Nov 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Life is full of stories
by Jo-Anne Richards on 21st Nov 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: It’s not only words which can offend
by Jo-Anne Richards on 14th Nov 2018 at 6:00 am
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November Newsletter: Don’t lose your writing fitness
by Jo-Anne Richards on 13th Nov 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: If being a writer takes magic, here’s the spell
by Jo-Anne Richards on 7th Nov 2018 at 6:00 am
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NaNoWriMo: 8 tips for if you’re stuck or overwhelmed
by Jo-Anne Richards on 2nd Nov 2018 at 4:00 pm
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In just fourteen days we can make you a better writer
by Jo-Anne Richards on 1st Nov 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: What does your character do in his spare time?
by Jo-Anne Richards on 31st Oct 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: It’s not about you, it’s about your character
by Jo-Anne Richards on 24th Oct 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Craft shouldn’t interrupt the flow
by Jo-Anne Richards on 17th Oct 2018 at 6:00 am
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October Newsletter: Never mind your situation – find a way to write
by Jo-Anne Richards on 16th Oct 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Your character needs a signal, even if they interpret it wrongly
by Jo-Anne Richards on 10th Oct 2018 at 6:00 am
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Which of our writing courses has your name on it?
by Jo-Anne Richards on 5th Oct 2018 at 11:02 am
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Get intimate: Enter our October/November Writing challenge and win a literary assessment
by Jo-Anne Richards on 4th Oct 2018 at 12:19 pm
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Writing Secrets: Those pesky darlings – we can’t help but love them
by Jo-Anne Richards on 3rd Oct 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Do you have a story to tell?
by Jo-Anne Richards on 26th Sep 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Why you should be using more details in your writing
by Jo-Anne Richards on 19th Sep 2018 at 6:00 am
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Advice to make your writing better
by Jo-Anne Richards on 18th Sep 2018 at 6:43 am
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Writing Secrets: We don’t always need the “where and when”
by Jo-Anne Richards on 12th Sep 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing need not be lonely – how we can help
by Jo-Anne Richards on 11th Sep 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Take the leap – we’ll leap with you
by Jo-Anne Richards on 5th Sep 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: Verbs are not always “doing” words
by Jo-Anne Richards on 29th Aug 2018 at 6:00 am
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Writing Secrets: What is your writing addiction?
by Jo-Anne Richards on 22nd Aug 2018 at 6:00 am