Over the years I have learnt a great many things about writing from a great many brilliant minds. I wish every writer could have been with me for those lectures, letters, meetings and classes, but writing a series of tutorials was really as close as I could get you all to the real thing.

Some of these lessons were taught to me and some of them I learned through trial and error of my own accord. Everything I write here is true for me and I have tried to be as objective as I could, writing only what I considered ‘facts’ and leaving my opinions out all together.

I am not infallible. If you disagree with something I say here, I am not even going to ask for an opportunity to change your mind. However I do hope that many people take something from this page and use it to improve their writing.

All I want to do is help other writers and you can’t fault me for that.

The Basic Structure Of A Story - As applicable to all genres of fiction; novels, short stories and flash fiction. You all need to know this.


Choosing Character Names - How to choose appropriate character names.


Big Fat Sell Outs - Is your favourite author a big, fat sell out?


Writer's Block - A simple guide for overcoming writer's block.


Why People Read - Part one of a three part tutorial. This section looks at the reasons people read.


Forms Of Entertainment - Part two of a three part tutorial. This section looks at the different forms of entertainment competing with books.


Being The Entertainer - Part three of a three part tutorial. This section looks at what entertains -- and how you can apply it to your own writing.


The Quick And Nasty Guide To Publication - The steps a first time writer needs to take to get published. This is a barebones tutorial for the truely clueless.


How To Write A Query Letter - An in depth tutorial on query letters--and how not to write a really bad one.

First Impressions - Opening lines that sell novels.