I am currently developing an on-line writing school and moving my ‘real life workshops’ onto the small screen. So why am I doing this? Not long ago I had no idea about the technology needed. I didn’t even know if the people I currently work with would want to go online for writing workshops. And mostContinue reading “Why I Am Moving My Workshops Online”
Author Archives: Anita Belli
And Breathe …
This weekend, I am getting my breath back after a week of juggling priorities. As well as the day job – writing and managing a writing business – I have delivered around eighteen hours of creative writing workshops in seven schools. I am really happy to be back in schools, despite the challenging circumstances. IContinue reading “And Breathe …”
The Magic of a Blue Moon
There will be a full moon at Halloween this year, and every full moon at Halloween has to be a Blue Moon. Why? Because moon cycles are 29.5 days long and Halloween is always on October 31st. So, it has to be the second full moon of the month. Blue Moons happen every 30 monthsContinue reading “The Magic of a Blue Moon”
Writing The Magic
Ruby Sixpence is a very ordinary woman. At least, to look at. But she has power and wisdom which the rest of us can only dream of. I think the underlying message is; don’t judge by appearances – people are surprising; and never underestimate the hidden power of older women! I have great fun writingContinue reading “Writing The Magic”
Words are a powerful form of magic
I have been thinking a lot about Magic recently, probably because I am working with children and they believe in the magic of stories. By accessing their imagination, and what I call their story brains, they come up with stories which are bold, inspiring and joyful. It has refreshed my belief in storytelling; in the magicContinue reading “Words are a powerful form of magic”
Writing the Story Bones
When I work with children, my intention is to spark their imagination and develop the innate creativity which we are all born with. I enjoy sharing my love of writing and the creative tools I use in my own practice as an author.
Do You Use Real Locations in Your Fiction?
Here at Bookends, we recently did a Vodcast about asking questions. Gerald Hornsby asked me random questions from my workbook: 100 Questions for Fiction Writers. (Coming Soon) One of them was; Do you use real locations or do you make them up? And it made me think of the use of location in our books. Are they realContinue reading “Do You Use Real Locations in Your Fiction?”
What is the most important question writers ask?
How many books have I sold this month? Do I get an advance? Why is Amazon’s algorithm so complicated? Can I eat this cream cake as research? Is it ok to write someone I know into my book – and kill them? You mean I have to re-write the whole thing? Why is this soContinue reading “What is the most important question writers ask?”
Where do story ideas come from?
I am often asked; ‘Where do you get your story ideas from?’ and I usually reply, waving a hand around vaguely, ‘Oh, everywhere, anywhere. They just come to me….’ Which is easy to say, but not the whole story. So where do our ideas come from? In my Kickstart Your Writing workshops, I look at the three most commonContinue reading “Where do story ideas come from?”
Theatre Calls
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your half-hour call. 30 minutes please” The half-hour call, known as the half, is 35 minutes before curtain up (in the UK. I believe it is different on Broadway.) The next thirty minutes are a busy and thoughtful time on any show.
Anita Belli Books 