Skip navigation

So you want to be a writer?

3rd November 2015

Have you always wanted to write a book but just never got round to it?

Well, November is National Novel Writing Month so now could be the perfect time to put pen to paper and make a start on your masterpiece. Dr Laura Fish, author and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Northumbria University, shares her top five tips for writing a novel…

  • Write every day and finish the day's writing when you still want to continue.
  • Writer’s block? A problem with a piece of writing often clarifies itself if you go for a long walk.
  • As P. D. James  said: 'Read widely and with discrimination. Bad writing is contagious.’
  • Turn your anger into art - emotions can trigger the artistic energy to create and craft fiction
  • Show it to trusted friends and writers whose opinion you respect.

For more inspiration and tips on how to improve your writing, come along to Northumbria’s annual showcase of creative writing from staff and students from the University’s PhD and MA programmes. This free event – hosted at the Lit & Phil on Wednesday 18 November - will give visitors an opportunity to hear some of cutting-edge creative work being produced in the North East.

To book tickets, click here.

News

a sign in front of a crowd
+

Northumbria Open Days

Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.

Research at Northumbria
+

Research at Northumbria

Research is the life blood of a University and at Northumbria University we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.

NU World
+

Explore NU World

Find out what life here is all about. From studying to socialising, term time to downtime, we’ve got it covered.


Latest News and Features

NIHR multiple and complex needs
Paramedics at work
Joint Institute of Clean Hydrogen
Volunteering builds inroads and supports communities. In this photo, UN Volunteers interview community members to assess basic health services in the rural areas of Rwanda. Copyright UNV, 2023
HICSA partners at the site
Jupiter with a spot visible at the south pole
Image of mother and baby
Imogen Russell sitting on a sofa
More events

Upcoming events

Commercialising Social Sciences for Impact
Northumbria University Carol Service
The Future of Evaluation in Health and Social Care Symposium
-

Back to top