Tutorials and Blog – Writing with Steve

the brain is wider than the sky by emily dickinson - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams?

Look no further. In this video, Dr Steve, a published poet, discusses The Brain is Wider than the Sky by Emily Dickinson. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

Here is Blink! Steve’s anthology of poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-Poems-World-Chaos-Stephen/dp/1787233685/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+stephen+evans&qid=1622398337&sr=8-1

dreams BY langston hughes - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams?

Look no further. In this video, Dr Steve, a published poet, discusses Dreams by Langston Hughes. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

Here is Blink! Steve’s anthology of poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-Poems-World-Chaos-Stephen/dp/1787233685/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+stephen+evans&qid=1622398337&sr=8-1

this is just to say BY william carlos williams - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams?

Look no further. In this video, Dr Steve, a published poet, discusses This is Just to Say by William Carlos Williams. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

Here is Blink! Steve’s anthology of poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-Poems-World-Chaos-Stephen/dp/1787233685/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+stephen+evans&qid=1622398337&sr=8-1

NORFOLK BY SIR JOHN BETJEMAN - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams?

Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Norfolk by Sir John Betjeman. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

Here is Blink! Steve’s anthology of poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-Poems-World-Chaos-Stephen/dp/1787233685/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+stephen+evans&qid=1622398337&sr=8-1

a meeting BY wendell berry - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams?

Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses A Meeting by Wendell Berry. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

Here is Blink! Steve’s anthology of poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-Poems-World-Chaos-Stephen/dp/1787233685/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+stephen+evans&qid=1622398337&sr=8-1

FOR MY LOVER RETURNING TO HIS WIFE BY ANNE SEXTON - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams?

Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses For My Lover Returning to His Wife by Anne Sexton. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

Here is Blink! Steve’s anthology of poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-Poems-World-Chaos-Stephen/dp/1787233685/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+stephen+evans&qid=1622398337&sr=8-1

London by William Blake - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams?

Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses London by William Blake. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

Here is Blink! Steve’s anthology of poems https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-Poems-World-Chaos-Stephen/dp/1787233685/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=blink+stephen+evans&qid=1622398337&sr=8-1

Love and a Question by Robert Frost - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Poppies by Jane Weir. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

4 july 2021: Poppies by Jane Weir - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Love and a Question by Robert Frost. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

20 june 2021: Absent from Thee by John Wilmot - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Absent from Thee by John Wilmot. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

13 june 2021: The Ruined Maid by Thomas Hardy - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses The Ruined Maid by Thomas Hardy. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

6 june 2021: I, being born a woman and distressed - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed by Edna St. Vincent Millay. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

9 may 2021: poem by simon armitage - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Poem by Simon Armitage. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

25 APRIL 2021: LOVE AFTER LOVE BY DEREK WALCOTT - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Love After Love by Derek Walcott. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

18 APRIL 2021: leisure BY W.H. DAVIES - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts, so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further.

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Leisure by W.H. Davies. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

11 APRIL 2021: HOPE IS A THING WITH FEATHERS BY EMILY DICKINSON - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Hope is a Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

4 APRIL 2021: THE DONKEY BY G.K. CHESTERTON - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses The Donkey by G.K. Chesterton. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

28 march 2021: WITH KIT, AGE 7, AT THE BEACH BY WILLIAM STAFFORD - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses With Kit, Age 7, at the Beach, by William Stafford. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

21 march 2021: sonnet 116 by william shakespeare - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

14 march 2021: whoso list to hunt by sir thomas wyatt - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Whoso List to Hunt by Sir Thomas Wyatt. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

8 march 2021: wild oats by philip larkin - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Wild Oats by Philip Larkin. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

21 februaRY 2021: after the lunch by wendy cope - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem After the Lunch by Wendy Cope. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning

21 februaRY 2021: lying in bed by philip larkin - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Lying in Bed by Philip Larkin. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning

14 februaRY 2021: One flesh by elizabeth jennings - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem One Flesh by Elizabeth Jennings. He takes you through the text and offers insights into its meaning.

7 februaRY 2021: A QUOI BON DIRE BY CHARLOTTE MEW - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem A Quoi Bon Dire by Charlotte Mew. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

31 January 2021: the garden of love by William blake - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem The Garden of Love by William Blake. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

24 january 2021: Remember by Christina Rossetti - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Remember by Christina Rossetti. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

17 january 2021: Living Space by Imtiaz Dharker - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Living Space by Imtiaz Dharker. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

9 january 2021: letters from yorkshire - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Letters from Yorkshire by Maura Dooley. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

2 january 2021: walking away by c. day-lewis - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Walking Away by C. Day-Lewis. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

Here’s a link to the poem: https://forum.storiesspace.com/yaf_postst748_Poem-of-the-day–WALKING-AWAY–Cecil-Day-Lewis.aspx

26 december 2020: our christmas special!

Enjoy listening to old and new Christmas poems? In our special Christmas edition, we are delighted to share some of our viewers’ poems as well as two familiar poems by Emily Dickinson and T.S. Eliot. Thank you for your support through 2020. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Karol and Steve

19 december 2020: good friday by Edwin Morgan - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Good Friday by Edwin Morgan. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

Here is a link to the poem: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/good-friday/

12 december 2020: Winter by Edwin Morgan - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Winter by Edwin Morgan. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning. Here is a link to the poem: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/winter-em/

5 december 2020: the destruction of sennacherib by lord byron - poem analysis

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem The Destruction of Sennacherib by Lord Byron. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

28 novemBER 2020: she walks in beauty by lord byron - poem analysis

In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

Here is a link to the poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43844/she-walks-in-beauty

21 novemBER 2020: love and friendship by emily bronte - POEM ANALYSIS

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Love and Friendship by Emily Bronte. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

Here is a link to the poem https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50537/love-and-friendship

Image credit: BBC/PB

13 novemBER 2020: WAR PHOTOGRAPHER BY CAROL ANN DUFFY - POEM ANALYSIS

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

Here is a link to the poem https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/war-photographer/

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem Envy by Mary Lamb. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

6 novemBER 2020: envy by mary lamb - poem analysis

30 OCTOBER 2020: HOW TO ANALYSE A POEM: A POISON TREE BY WILLIAM BLAKE

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Preparing an essay or revising for exams? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, discusses the poem A Poison Tree by William Blake. He takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

24 2020: HOW TO ANALYSE A POEM: BROOKLYN COP BY NORMAN MACCAIG

Want to learn how to analyse texts so you become a better writer? Studying at school or college and looking for the best ways to analyse a text? Look no further. In this video, Steve, a published poet, shares the best ways to engage with a text when conducting an analysis and offers advice on what examiners are looking for when awarding a top grade. Using as a model the poem Brooklyn Cop by Norman MacCaig, Steve takes you through the text and offers insights on its meaning.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this great poem, follow the link to the Scottish Poetry Library: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/brooklyn-cop/

Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most.

Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

You can read more of Steve’s poems on Amazon as sample Kindle pages – see below. You can buy Blink in the UK as a Kindle book or paperback here https://www.amazon.co.uk/BLINK-POEMS-WORLD-STEPHEN-EVANS-ebook/dp/B07RSNRXLR

or the USA as a Kindle book or paperback here

‘Blink!’ is available at all major bookstores in the UK and USA including Waterstones in the UK

https://www.waterstones.com/book/blink-poems-for-a-world-of-chaos/stephen-evans//9781787233683

and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46041674-blink

15 octoBER 2020: HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST POEM - sestina

Wondering how to get started writing a poem, especially your first poem? You’ve found the right video.

Watching this video will help you write the poems you want to. In this content-rich video, we give you step by step tips on how to write a sestina poem.

Steve, a published poet, will guide you through his creative process and provides many examples.

Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most.

Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

or the USA as a Kindle book or paperback here

‘Blink!’ is available at all major bookstores in the UK and USA including Waterstones in the UK

https://www.waterstones.com/book/blink-poems-for-a-world-of-chaos/stephen-evans//9781787233683

and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46041674-blink

9 octoBER 2020: HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST POEM - VILLANELLE AND OTTAVA RIMA

Wondering how to get started writing a poem, especially your first poem? You’ve found the right video.

Watching this video will help you write the poems you want to. In this content-rich video, we give you step by step tips on how to write villanelle and ottava rima poems.

Steve, a published poet, will guide you through his creative process and provides many examples.

Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most.

Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

or the USA as a Kindle book or paperback here

‘Blink!’ is available at all major bookstores in the UK and USA including Waterstones in the UK

https://www.waterstones.com/book/blink-poems-for-a-world-of-chaos/stephen-evans//9781787233683

and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46041674-blink

2 octoBER 2020: HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST POEM - tanka AND ballad

Wondering how to get started writing a poem, especially your first poem? You’ve found the right video.

Watching this video will help you write the poems you want to. In this content-rich video, we give you step by step tips on how to write tanka and ballads.

Steve, a published poet, will guide you through his creative process and provides many examples.

Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most.

Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

or the USA as a Kindle book or paperback here

‘Blink!’ is available at all major bookstores in the UK and USA including Waterstones in the UK

https://www.waterstones.com/book/blink-poems-for-a-world-of-chaos/stephen-evans//9781787233683

and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46041674-blink

25 SEPTEMBER 2020: HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST POEM - HAIKU AND SONNETS

Wondering how to get started writing a poem, especially your first poem? You’ve found the right video. Watching this video will help you write the poems you want to. In this content-rich video, we give you step by step tips on how to write haiku and sonnets.

Steve, a published poet, will guide you through his creative process and provides many examples. Watching this video will help you write the poems you want to.

Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most.

Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

or the USA as a Kindle book or paperback here

‘Blink!’ is available at all major bookstores in the UK and USA including Waterstones in the UK

https://www.waterstones.com/book/blink-poems-for-a-world-of-chaos/stephen-evans//9781787233683

and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46041674-blink

18 SEPTEMBER 2020: HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST STORY

Wondering how to get started writing a poem, especially your first poem? You’ve found the right video.

Watching this video will help you write the poems you want to. In this content-rich video, we give you lots of tips on the best way to find ideas for your poem, supported by examples. Steve, a published poet, will guide you through his creative process and describe what inspired him to write one of his poems from his anthology ‘Blink!’

Watching this video will help you write the poems you want to. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

or the USA as a Kindle book or paperback here

‘Blink!’ is available at all major bookstores in the UK and USA including Waterstones in the UK

https://www.waterstones.com/book/blink-poems-for-a-world-of-chaos/stephen-evans//9781787233683

and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46041674-blink

11 SEPTEMBER 2020: HOW MUCH RESEARCH DO I INCLUDE IN A STORY?

Wondering how much of your research should appear in your story? You’ve found the right video. In this content-rich video, we give you lots of tips on the best way to use your research in your story, supported by examples. Watching this video will save you valuable time and keep your story on course for completion.

This is the tenth video in a series of how to draft a book. If you’ve missed the others, please remember to check them out. We have created a playlist to make the videos even easier to find and use. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

4 SEPTEMBER 2020: HOW TO WRITE CHARACTER BACKGROUND AND BACKSTORY

Looking to craft the perfect background and backstory for your characters? You’ve found the right video.

In this content-rich video, we give you lots of backstory tips to use in your story, supported by examples. Watching this video will save you valuable time and keep your story on course for completion.

We discuss: Finding the perfect background balance Using background when writing in the third-person and the first-person

Flashback

Internal monologue Different backstory approaches for different genres

Seamless sequencing and segues to the past.

This is the ninth video in a series of how to draft a book. If you’ve missed the others, please remember to check them out. We have created a playlist to make the videos even easier to find and use.

Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

28 AUGUST 2020: YOUR ALL IMPORTANT SECOND DRAFT

Your All-Important Second Draft

Watching this short, content-rich, video will save you valuable time by avoiding the pitfalls that often befall beginner writers when they start editing their manuscript. This video has all you’ll need to edit your second draft. You will learn why the second draft is so important and why your second edit is different from editing your first draft. Steve guides step-by-step through what to edit to create a rich and textured second draft.

This is the eighth video in a series of how to write a book so if you’ve missed the others please remember to check them out. We have created a playlist to make the videos even easier to find and use.

21 AUGUST 2020: HOW TO WRITE DIALOGUE IN YOUR STORY

In this video, we concentrate on dialogue – one of the key elements of story writing. Steve offers guidance on choosing dialogue over narrative (action) to tell your story. Watching this short video will save you valuable time by avoiding the pitfalls that often befall beginner writers when they start writing dialogue.

This is the seventh video in a series of how to write a book so please remember to check out our other videos too. We have created a playlist to make the videos even easier to find and use. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

14 AUGUST 2020: HOW TO check and edit your story PART TWO

In our second video on how to edit your story, we offer more guidance on how to improve your first draft into something substantial and reader-friendly.

In this video, we continue to share a step-by-step process for proofreading the first draft of your story. Steve offers guidance on active and passive voice, the importance of using strong and active verbs and how to tighten your sentences. He provides examples of his own writing to model the proofreading and editing process. Applying this process will save you valuable time by avoiding the pitfalls that often befall writers when they start to proofread and edit their first draft.

This is the sixth video in a series of how to write a book so please don’t forget to check out our other videos too. We have created a playlist to make the videos even easier to find and use. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

7 AUGUST 2020: HOW TO check and edit your story PART ONE

Time to roll your sleeves up and get ready because you’re about to transform your writing into something to be proud of. You are going to develop your editing techniques as we turn your first draft into something substantial and reader-friendly. In this video, we share a step-by-step process for proofreading the first draft of your story. Steve demonstrates this process by using some of his writing and modelling how he set about checking and editing it. Applying this process and following the tips will save you lots of valuable time by avoiding the pitfalls that often befall writers when they start to proofread their first draft. This is the fifth video in a series of how to write a book so please don’t forget to check out our other videos too. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

31 JUly 2020: HOW TO write from different perspectives

How to Write From Different Perspectives In this video, we share the main ways of telling a story using different viewpoints. By using this guide, you can choose the point of view that’s best for your story. Your story will have a strong narrative and plenty of drama to keep your readers hooked throughout. Applying these tips will save you lots of valuable time by avoiding the pitfalls that often befall writers setting off on their writing journey. We discuss first-person voice, third-person voice, limited third person, multiple-perspectives, omniscient narrator and epistolary stories and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each. You can then choose the voice that is best for your story. To demonstrate how each approach can enhance your story we provide lots of examples from famous books, plays and films. This video is the fourth in a series of how to write a book so please don’t forget to check out our other videos too. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

24 JUly 2020: HOW TO CREATE A BOOK OUTLINE IN 3 STEPS

In this video, we share the 3 key stages of writing a successful story outline through the 3-act narrative. By using this guide, your story will have a strong structure with plenty of drama to keep your readers hooked throughout. Applying these tips will save you lots of valuable time by avoiding the pitfalls that often befall writers setting off on their writing journey. We discuss key elements such as protagonist, antagonist, tension, conflict, and drama. We discuss the main types of characters you can introduce in your narrative to move your story along. Steve gives examples from books, films, and plays to support the points he makes and recommends books that have helped him outline and structure his writing. This video is the third in a series of how to write a book so please don’t forget to check out our first two videos too. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

17 JUly 2020: 8 TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE A SUCCESSFUL OPENING CHAPTER

In this video, we share the 8 key elements to writing a successful opening chapter to your story so your readers keep reading on. By using these 8 great tips, your opening you will hook and intrigue your readers. Applying these tips will save you lots of valuable time by avoiding the pitfalls that often befall writers setting off on their writing journey. We discuss key elements such as protagonist, tension, conflict and drama and there’s a fun quiz too! This video is the second in a series of how to write a book video so don’t forget to check out our first video on how to plan your story. Please leave a comment on what you would like us to include in our future videos so we can keep providing you with the content you will find helpful most. Please don’t forget to support us by subscribing and hitting the like button!

10 JUly 2020: START WRITING YOUR FIRST BOOK TODAY!

By watching In the first episode of the new series ‘Start Writing Your First Book Today’ you will learn all the top tips on how to start your story-writing journey. I share with you five important steps in planning your book. I refer to novel writing but these tips and this series will help you write any type of story, long or short. This is a video that anyone wanting to write a book will benefit from watching. Please don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and leave comments, especially suggestions on what content you would like us to provide in the videos.

3 JUly 2020: SHOULD I KEEP A JOURNAL?

In this video, Should I keep a journal? I answer questions viewers have sent in asking for more information on journaling. This video includes tons of advice on journaling and how keeping a journal helps improve your writing as well as your mental health and wellbeing. I talk openly of my mother’s dementia and how grateful the family was that before succumbing to this terrible illness, she had written down her memories of growing up in Manchester, England in the 1920s and 30s. If any of you are thinking about writing a memoir but keep putting it off – please watch this video – it will be a call to action to write your life story asap. This video explains why.

26 JUNE 2020: let your location inspire your writing

By watching this video you will learn how to use your location as a great way to inspire your writing. It includes writing tips on how to use your area’s history as a great resource and inspiration for your writing. Leaving the studio behind, Steve takes you on a tour of his home town and explains how the area provides inspiration for his writing. He tells a story of murder, body snatching and the supernatural all based on true events that occurred in his village in 1902. Make sure there’s a suitable sofa to hide behind! Also, stay around as Karol appears for the first time in front of the camera!

20 JUNE 2020: hOW TO DESCRIBE YOUR people and places using the double-drawn description tool

After watching this video on how to describe people and places you will save valuable time using a tool called ‘double-draw description’. You will be able to describe places from your character’s point of view. By using this writing tool you will be able to describe people and places double-effectively and double-quickly. Watching this video will turbo-charge your descriptive powers.

12 JUNE 2020: hOW TO DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTERS USING SETTINGS

After watching my latest video, you will be able to describe characters quickly and effectively by describing where they live and work. You will be able to provide clues for the reader to piece together and figure out what your character is like. You will also be able to provide a killer curveball description that will astonish and intrigue your readers and make them want to keep reading your work.

5 JUNE 2020: CHECK OUR LATEST VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO DESCRIBE using powerful images

The How to Write Using Strong Images video explains how to correctly apply sensory description and link the senses for a powerful writing and reading experience. You’ll also learn how to use a writing technique expert writers use. By using this technique, your descriptive writing will leap off the page.

29 May 2020: CHECK OUR LATEST VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO DESCRIBE THINGS BETTER

After watching this video and using the FREE activity sheet that accompanies it, your power of observation will improve and you will describe things better.

26 May 2020: CHECK OUR VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO BEAT WRITER'S BLOCK

After watching this video, you will never have writer’s block again. I share 10 great strategies to beat writer’s block once and for all.

15 May 2020: CHECK OUR VIDEO TUTORIAL ON CREATING YOUR PERFECT PLACE TO WRITE

By watching this video you will be abe to create the optimum conditions for great writing. In this video I discuss what to consider when choosing your place to perfect witing place whether this be your home or outside at a library or cafe.

Your writing space is the place where you get down to the business of writing. In this video, we share with you 7 top tips when choosing the best place and space to write. Getting the best base for your writing will help your focus and ensure that you use your precious writing time effectively. And there’s a bonus tip too… hit the YouTube button on our website to take you to our channel and the video.

10 MAY: HOW TO KICK-START YOUR WRITING

Lots of useful tips to get you back into the habit of writing.

4 May 2020 WHY WRITING IS MAGICAL

29 May 2020: CHECK OUR LATEST VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO DESCRIBE THINGS BETTER

13 novemBER 2020: WAR PHOTOGRAPHER BY CAROL ANN DUFFY - POEM ANALYSIS

As writers, we can change our identity every day without having to fake our disappearance, leaving our clothes behind on a desolate beach (remember Reginald Perrin?) or join a witness protection programme. Neither do we need to live in constant danger of being tracked down by the CIA, FBI, MI5 or Interpol. We simply have to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboards and shapeshift into anyone or anything we imagine. As we write and allow our imaginations to take the driving seat, we can morph into multitudes of different people, different creatures or objects and the worlds they inhabit. Shapeshifting and becoming others – the magic of our minds. So, who are you going to be today and where will your imagination take you? Whoever you may be or are becoming and wherever you travel to today have a magical time writing. And May the 4th be with you.

3 May 2020 WHY YOU SHOULD JOURNAL

Establishing a routine of daily journal writing will improve your writing and your mental health. Journals are a store of great writing ideas for your stories and articles. They also help address issues which may be troubling you and making you feel down. If anything is troubling you or on your mind, ensure that you write them down. Writing them down will give you perspective and will help you define the issue. Once you can define and describe the problem, you will find it much easier to begin addressing it. Therefore journal writing is a great tool in adressing our worries and anxieties.

Also, remember to write down all the positives in your life and all the things you are grateful for. We often overlook these. Celebrate the simple pleasures – a lovely cup of tea or coffee, a piece of music you heard on the radio that brings back happy memories or waking up in a lovely warm bed hearing the birds’ cheerful chorus outside. Before you forget these positive, happy moments write them down in your journal or a notebook. If tou record your thought and feelings in a notebook take time to transfer these into your journal no later than forty-eight hours later. For more information on jounral writing and keeping a notebook hit the red button above and watch our video on kickstarting your writing. You can also download free resources from there.