The Art of World-Building The art of world-building, often thought of as something only for fantasy stories filled with dragons and magic, is an essential skill for any writer creating a fictional world. Whether you’re crafting a futuristic galaxy in science fiction, a meticulously detailed past in historical fiction, or even a subtly altered versionContinue reading “Your World, Your Rules”
Tag Archives: books
The Gravity of Words: Insights from Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’
As writers, we continually seek inspiration, new techniques, and fresh perspectives to push the boundaries of our craft. Every so often, a novel emerges that challenges our preconceptions about storytelling, structure, and genre. Samantha Harvey’s Orbital, the groundbreaking 2024 Booker Prize winner, is precisely such a book. Hailed as “slim, powerful, and uplifting,” and oftenContinue reading “The Gravity of Words: Insights from Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’”
The Creative Hangover
Why Your Brain Feels Depleted After a Major Writing Project (And How to Recover) For months, perhaps even years, the world of your story, with its intricate plotlines, evolving characters, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect sentence, occupied a significant portion of your cognitive and emotional landscape. Then, one day, it’s finished. You typeContinue reading “The Creative Hangover”
Forging Worlds from Broken Shards: What Writers Can Learn from N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy
N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy isn’t just a significant work of speculative fiction; it’s a great example of narrative craft and thematic depth. Made up of The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, and The Stone Sky, the series managed the impressive feat of each book winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel. For writersContinue reading “Forging Worlds from Broken Shards: What Writers Can Learn from N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy”
Asako Yuzuki’s ‘Butter’: A Feast of Feminism, Food, and Unsettling Truths
Asako Yuzuki’s novel, Butter, has captivated readers with its unsettling premise and achieved remarkable accolades, including the Waterstones Book of the Year 2024. Yet, to see Butter merely as a sensational, food-centric crime novel would be to miss the rich, complex, and often provocative tapestry Yuzuki weaves. It’s an invitation into a world where culinaryContinue reading “Asako Yuzuki’s ‘Butter’: A Feast of Feminism, Food, and Unsettling Truths”
Navigating Exile, Memory, and Connection: An In-Depth Look at Hisham Matar’s “My Friends”
Hisham Matar, a literary voice shaped by profound experiences of exile and a deep engagement with art, has once again captivated readers with his latest novel, “My Friends.” Published in January 2024, this work delves into the lives of three Libyan friends navigating the complexities of displacement in London, against the backdrop of significant historicalContinue reading “Navigating Exile, Memory, and Connection: An In-Depth Look at Hisham Matar’s “My Friends””
The Reimagined River: Percival Everett, James, and the Dialogue with American Literary History
Percival Everett’s novel James arrived not merely as another publication but as a significant literary and cultural event, marked by widespread acclaim and prestigious accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award. Its publication by Doubleday in 2024 ignited immediate discussion, fueled by its provocative and necessary premise: a radical reimaginingContinue reading “The Reimagined River: Percival Everett, James, and the Dialogue with American Literary History”
Ian Fleming and the Genesis of James Bond
Ian Fleming, the English author, journalist, and former naval intelligence officer, secured a permanent place in twentieth-century popular culture as the creator of James Bond, Secret Agent 007. Since the publication of Casino Royale in 1953, Bond has evolved from a literary character into a global phenomenon, spawning one of the longest-running and most successfulContinue reading “Ian Fleming and the Genesis of James Bond”
The Million-Dollar Pen: Unveiling the Secrets to Financial Success in Writing
The allure of writing for a living is undeniable. Visions of bestselling novels, blockbuster adaptations, and adoring fans dance in the minds of aspiring wordsmiths. But behind the glamorous facade lies a challenging economic landscape, where financial success is far from guaranteed. In fact, for most writers, making a living wage is a constant struggle.Continue reading “The Million-Dollar Pen: Unveiling the Secrets to Financial Success in Writing”
The Whimsical and the Wicked: Unpacking the Creative Genius of Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl, a name synonymous with childhood wonder and a dash of delightful darkness, remains a monumental figure in 20th-century literature. His stories, a unique blend of dark humour, unrestrained fantasy, and sharp social commentary, have captivated generations. But what exactly makes Dahl’s writing so enduringly popular? Delving into his techniques, themes, and unique creativeContinue reading “The Whimsical and the Wicked: Unpacking the Creative Genius of Roald Dahl”
The Original Writers Group 