Creativity – Page 2 – Anita Belli Books

Hold The Fronted Adverbials

The fear of getting it wrong is prevalent amongst children in many of the schools I work in. It stifles creativity, curiosity and engagement. And disengaged children don’t learn very much at all.

Memory, truth and lies has become an important theme again in my work, since I developed my workshop programme – Write Your Life. I write pieces of my life in every novel I create. I write FROM my life – from under the skin of my experiences.

Writing Firsts for 2021

My notebook habit is strong and evolved. I have drawers full of notebooks dating back several decades. When I am seeking inspiration, or if there is nothing to watch on telly, I will occasionally browse these notebooks and find nuggets of inspiration.

Between Times

As we reach the bridge between 2020 and 2021 we can look back over the distance we have travelled and we can see just how much the landscape has changed around us. And we can look forward into 2021, into the mist of uncertainty.

My 2020 Writing Life

Some may say that 2020 has been rubbish and in some ways it has. I have been able to explore new skills and new audiences for my work.

Develop a Writing Habit

It is a truth universally acknowledged
that 100% of books which don’t get written, don’t get published. The Writer procrastinates. It is normal. We all do it. Even walking the dog in the rain seems more appealing than facing a blank page …

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 …”

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.

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?”