Tips
Controlling your fear
Thomas Keneally says that, ‘Writing is an exercise in controlling your fear. Above all the fear that you are not a…

Alice Jolly has written two novels and eight plays. She won the Royal Society of Literature’s VS Pritchett Memorial Prize in 2014. Her memoir Dead Babies and Seaside Towns won the Pen/Ackerley Prize in 2016.
Tips
Thomas Keneally says that, ‘Writing is an exercise in controlling your fear. Above all the fear that you are not a…
Exercises
Spend a little time identifying who the people are who might tell you not to write your memoir. Once you have…
Exercises
If you are already writing a memoir, look through the work you have done to date and see where the scenes…
Tips
Novelists are always told to show, not tell. They are also told to ‘write in scenes’ which means broadly the same…
Tips
In the world of creative writing, not all words are created equal. Yes, choosing the right adjectives matter; yes, you should…
Exercises
First of all, create a public space a bar; a hotel reception, a restaurant, a gallery, the foyer of a theatre……
Once you have identified one or more of these forces of opposition people try writing a small part of…
So you are writing a memoir. You’re writing about yourself and you are the main character. Isn’t that right?
Well, yes…
You can keep up to date with news about Arvon by joining our mailing list. You will receive a regular newsletter, with news about Arvon courses and other activities, occasional fundraising campaigns and writing opportunities.