Writing habits

The first time I considered the relationship between fiction and research was during a writing workshop-my first-while I watched the professor eviscerate some poor kid's story about World War II. And yeah, the story was bad. I remember the protagonist being told to "take cover" and then performing several combat rolls to do so.  Read more

Are you serious about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and finally starting that novel idea you've had for years? Costa and Orange Prize shortlisted writer Monique Roffey offers her top five tips for getting the best out of your writing process - including finding your personal rhythm, getting into the habit of drafting and how to edit successfully.

Can reading aloud help you write better? Does planning too far ahead overcomplicate things? We asked Dutch author Thomas Heerma van Voss, our virtual writer in residence, to share his techniques for constructing great writing. Thomas' virtual residency is in partnership with New Dutch Writing and the Dutch Foundation for Literature.

There is a long tradition of expatriate writers - James Joyce in Trieste, James Baldwin in France, Muriel Spark in Italy; but I never expected to be, albeit in a very humble way, a part of it. I'm still surprised that life and work have led me to spend a good portion of each year in Boston.  Read more

Full disclosure: I may not be the right person to answer the question posed in this headline. After all, I wrote my first novel almost entirely from bed. In fact, I am writing this essay from bed now. Like Edith Wharton, Colette, and Proust, I am more creative when reclined, and when comfortable, and when alone. This is only to say, I don't write in public spaces.  Read more