Judith's Blog

Advice for aspiring writers from Keris Stainton, author of Della says: OMG!

This is a cross post from You've got your hands full.

KERIS Stainton is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. Totally unassuming and modest, she is a fabulous writer and blogger and now, don't you know, author of Della Says: OMG!

Della’s over the moon when she kisses her long-standing crush at a party – but then she discovers her diary has disappeared... When scans of embarrassing pages are sent to her mobile and appear on Facebook, Della’s distraught – how can she enjoy her first proper romance when someone, somewhere, knows all her deepest, darkest secrets?

Here's an interview with Keris to mark publication of her first young adult novel, which I can't wait to read.

Choose three words to describe yourself

Determined. Excitable. Short.

Book review: Love Writing by Sue Moorcroft

By Shelley White

I THOUGHT I’d written a red-hot love story until I read Sue Moorcroft’s book.

Then I discovered that my effort at romantic fireworks was merely a damp squib. My Heathcliff and Kathy had more in common with Kermit and Miss Piggy, my scrummy Mr Darcy was akin to a sex-starved Mr Bean and my teasing Lolita was more teacher’s pet.

I had lots to learn.

Author and blogger Tim Atkinson launches free creative writing course

CHECK out Tim's recent post for news of a wonderful initiative sparked by a Judith's Room member's disappointment.

Way to go, Tim!

He's still working out finer details, but please do get in touch with Tim via his blog if you would like to know more.

A wonderful weekend at the York Festival of Writing

UNIVERSITIES make me nervous. Usually because of the people in them.

There were times over the weekend where I felt overwhelmed. But this was in a good way.

I was at the York Festival of Writing where I was invited by Kate Allan to give a talk on um, making money from writing. Not many people there seemed to think this was possible. But then I was talking about a different kind of writing - non-fiction, journalism, copywriting - you name it - not fiction.

I don't see why the two have to be mutually exclusive and I came away from the event the most determined I have ever been to make a go of a novel.

Listening to bestselling novelist Katie Fforde explaining how she was rejected for seven years by Mills & Boon, that 'writing shouldn't read like writing' and that by working at your craft and persevering were the keys to success was quite something.

Feature ideas: It's all in the timing

FOR a freelance writer, ideas can make or break a career. As markets and budgets shrink and competition increases, it’s more crucial than ever to make your ideas stand out from the crowd. Linda Jones shows you how.

So you want to write for your favourite magazine and you are brimming with ideas – you’re a little disappointed that most of them – or something similar at least – has been covered already – but it’s still worth a shot, right?

Wrong. If you spot a piece in a target publication that bears any resemblance to the germ of an idea you have been slaving over – but too nervous to send – for days or even weeks then you need to change direction immediately.

Coping with rejection: Editors are people too

By Linda Jones

HOW scared are you of editors?

Does the thought of picking up a phone to suggest an idea for a magazine feature fill you with dread? Do you break out in a cold sweat as you open an email with the all-important “yes” or “no” to your pitch?

If you're are nodding in agreement to either of these questions, then to put it unkindly, you need to get a grip! Or, to put it much less bluntly – don’t worry, editors are human too.

Book review: The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World

By Heather Sutherland

THIS is a book written by Linda Jones ex journalist, freelance writer, blogger at You've got your hands full, Judith's Room member and all round fabulous lady who has helped me out a lot with starting freelance writing.

Her book arrived today and I have been racing through it.  Verdict?  It's flippin' brilliant.  You know all those questions you have about how to write a pitch, should you write the article first or not, how do you find out how to email it to, should you call them afterwards, how soon etc etc? She answers them all and so much more.