The aim of this page is to offer assistance of other budding writers, both through articles on writing and links to sites that promote details of writing competitions.
You'll also find further writing advice on the new zone that I've created on Helium. My zone is called Simon Wright's Writing Resource Zone.
Advice on writing:
Tools writers need to keep near their computer: http://www.helium.com/items/2062268-tools-writers-need-to-keep-near-their-computers
How to be a better writer: http://www.helium.com/items/2064515-how-to-become-a-better-writter
How to quote a source: http://www.helium.com/items/2064353-writing-tips-how-to-quote-a-source
How to create your best writing: If you're an aspiring writer, then you should see every article that you write as an opportunity to showcase your best work. How, though, can we ensure that each article reaches that high standard? Well, here are some tips that can help in this regard, http://www.helium.com/items/1488242-creating-your-best-writing
Why you're never too old to write, by guest writer, Lucy Edington. Been thinking of hanging up your pen? Well, think again as Lucy Edington tells us why you're never too old to write! http://www.helium.com/items/1523232-why-youre-never-too-old-to-write
How to avoid being nominated for the Bad Sex Awards: If there's one thing likely to cause a writer to break into a panicked sweat, it's the prospect of having to write a love scene! Indeed, there have been many excellent writers who have committed embarrassing atrocities in this regard but maybe they wouldn't have if they'd checked out this guide on how to write a romantic fictional love scene, http://www.helium.com/items/1462317-best-ways-to-write-a-love-scene-and-how-to-avoid-being-nominated-for-the-bad-sex-awards
Best ways to write a comedy scene in a novel: It's great when we read a scene from a novel that has us doubling over in laughter. However, for the writer, creating such comedy gold can be hard work. With that in mind, therefore, here are some tips on how to go about writing a comedy scene, http://www.helium.com/items/1463005-how-to-write-effective-funny-comedy-scenes-in-a-novel
Why great writers rely more on effort than inspiration: Ask most professional authors whether effort or inspiration is more important and the majority of them will answer effort. This article looks at why that is the case, http://www.helium.com/items/1457481-writers-do-authors-rely-more-on-inspiration-or-effort
Steps to writing a novel: You've probably all heard the old saying that everyone has a novel in them. However, often the difficult bit can be getting that novel out of you and onto a page. Here, then, are some steps that may help make the process that bit easier. http://www.helium.com/items/1457565-steps-to-help-a-writer-successfully-write-a-novel
How to brand yourself as an author. Writers are often aware of the need to promote themselves and their writing and may be aware that branding has a role to play in this. What is involved, however, in creating a brand? Well, that's the topic that this article addresses, http://www.helium.com/items/1451355-how-writers-can-use-branding-to-achieve-success-as-an-author
How to turn your personal experience into a novel. The best novels have a ring of authenticity that comes from the writer having taking their personal experiences and blended them with a dose of imagination. Here, then, are some tips for how you can use your personal experiences to best effect when writing a novel. http://www.helium.com/items/1417668-using-personal-experiences-and-emotions-to-write-a-novel-or-short-story
Keys to good essay writing. Whether it's at school or university, being able to construct a compelling essay is a vital skill that can help you to achieve your academic goals. The good thing about essay writing is that you're not faced with the pressure that exists during an exam but many people still find essays difficult to write, so here are some tips that may help. http://www.helium.com/items/1433888-key-to-good-essay-or-dissertation-writing-to-get-better-marks
What makes an article easy to read? I've recently had a couple of articles purchased for publication in a finance magazine. Although subject matter knowledge was important to achieving this, an even more important element was making the articles easy to read. Here's an article that looks at what makes an article easy to read. Although it's specifically about Helium articles, the principles apply to any article that you're writing. http://www.helium.com/items/1364037-writing-readability-how-to-create-an-easy-to-read-online-article-on-helium
Does there ever become a point where a writer should call it quits, either for good or just for a particular piece of writing? This is a topic that is explored in this article, http://www.helium.com/items/1349406-when-to-call-time-on-a-writing-project-or-to-quit-being-a-writer
How to keep readers interested in your novel. What is that that causes us to keep turning the pages on a novel? And how can we, as writers, ensure that our writing has that page-turner quality? The following article explores some of the things that you can do to ensure that your reader remains interested in your novel. http://www.helium.com/items/1311055-how-writers-can-keep-readers-interested-in-their-novel
Tips on becoming a better writer. No matter what standard we currently are, there is always the potential to become better. This article provides tips on how you can improve your writing skills. http://www.helium.com/items/1282822-writing-resources-how-to-improve-and-become-a-better-writer
The importance of editing. Whether you're working on a short story or a novel, the chances are that you will go through several iterations before you're happy to submit your work for publication. The editing process is therefore a fundamental part of a successful writing approach and you can get tips on its importance here, http://www.helium.com/items/196418-the-importance-of-editing
Why are so many poets interested in free verse poetry? Have you ever dabbled in writing poetry? If so, have you ever wondered why so many poets write in free verse? If so, then this is the article for you, http://www.helium.com/items/1205910-why-do-people-choose-free-verse-poems
How to write an excellent first chapter for your novel. Making an early impression is vital if you're to retain the attention of your readers. This article provides guidance on how you can do this, http://www.helium.com/items/163409-how-to-write-an-excellent-first-chapter-for-your-novel
How to write a comedy sketch. I wrote my first sketch after watching a sketch show. If you fancy turning your hand to sketch writing as well, then here are some thoughts on how to go about that process, http://www.helium.com/items/118510-how-to-write-a-comedy-sketch
How to stage your own sketch show. I've been involved in the staging of two sketch shows. Based on this experience, here are some thoughts on how to go about staging a comedy show, http://www.helium.com/items/158142-how-to-stage-your-own-sketch-show
Directing your script. You've had a sketch accepted for a show or have decided to put together your own comedy show. Great. Now though you need to provide direction to the actors. The following article provides some tips on this skill, http://www.helium.com/items/789401-directing-your-script-as-a-first-time-writer
Making time to write. Most amateur writers have to juggle work and family commitments, so it can be very hard to find enough time to write that masterpiece novel that you know you're capable of. It is possible, however, and here's an article that provides hints and tips on how to achieve that elusive balance, http://www.helium.com/items/141138-making-time-to-write
Writing competitions and other opportunities:
It's always useful to have writing competitions to enter. There's the chance of winning acclaim and prizes. However, perhaps the biggest benefit is that it provides motivation to actually write something new. There's nothing like a deadline to focus the mind! I've listed a couple of sites below that sometimes promote details of writing competitions:
Sketch show submissions wanted: http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/watsons_wind_up.shtml
Watson's Wind Up is a comedy radio sketch show with a Scottish flavour. This popular show is into its 15th series (no mean feat!) and is seeking submissions so get your thinking caps on.
Fish Publishing: http://www.fishpublishing.com/
This site runs competitions for short stories and poetry. Additionally, they offer a very useful writing critique service, albeit for a small fee.
UK Authors website: http://www.ukauthors.com/
The Resources page of this site often contains details of writing competitions and magazines that are looking for contributions in either short stories or poetry.
Prizemagic.co.uk: http://www.prizemagic.co.uk/html/writing_comps.htm
This website contains details of various competitions, covering both the UK and US markets. Some of the competitions are free to enter and some require a fee, and there's a mix of short stories, poetry, plays, etc.
Links to other websites:
If you are a writer and have a personal website, then why not contact me to see about including reciprocal links from each other's websites? To do so, use the contact form at the bottom of my home page.
BBC's Writersroom - http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/ . The BBC have a long tradition of producing quality radio and TV shows and they're looking for writers to send them new scripts.
Jane Espenson's website - http://www.janeespenson.com/index.php . Jane Espenson is a writer who has contributed to great shows such as Buffy, Angel, Firefly and Battlestar Galactica. Her website offers daily tips on the art of writing scripts. Very useful site!