Punctuation in Poetry: Rules or Freedom?
Do poets have to follow punctuation rules? Or can they ignore them completely? Explore how punctuation shapes rhythm, meaning, and flow — and why sometimes the smallest marks matter most.
Why Song Lyrics Break Grammar Rules (And Why That’s Okay)
Many famous song lyrics would fail a grammar test. Fragments, double negatives, and unfinished sentences appear everywhere in music — and yet they work beautifully. Here’s why song writing often bends grammar rules to make lyrics stronger.
Readers Asked Us: Can You Write a Good Book With a Small Vocabulary?
Many aspiring writers carry a quiet worry: My vocabulary isn’t strong enough to write a good book. It’s an understandable fear — and one that has discouraged far too many capable storytellers. The reassuring truth is that powerful writing rarely depends on impressive vocabulary. More often, it depends on clarity, precision and voice. Let’s gently separate the myth from the craft.
Readers Asked Us: How Do I Write Deaf Characters and Sign Language?
When a character communicates without speaking, many writers find themselves hesitating over the keyboard. How do you show signed conversation clearly… respectfully… and without turning it into a formatting distraction? Writing Deaf characters well is less about technical tricks and more about thoughtful storytelling choices. Let’s walk through what actually works on the page.
Readers Asked Us: What is Plagiarism And Where Does It Actually Start and Stop?
Plagiarism is one of those words that can quietly rattle even careful writers. The line between influence and infringement often feels blurrier than it really is — especially when you read widely and write inside familiar genres. The good news is that the boundary is far clearer (and far less frightening) than most people think. Let’s walk through where plagiarism actually begins — and where it firmly does not.
Plagiarism in Fiction: What Australian Writers Need to Know
Few questions unsettle writers more than this one: Where exactly does plagiarism begin? In a world where we read widely and absorb stories constantly, the line can feel blurrier than it really is. The good news is that Australian copyright law — and professional publishing practice — draw that boundary far more clearly than most writers realise. Let’s walk through it.
Beta-Readers for Writers: How to Choose Them and Send Your Draft
If the idea of sending your precious draft to other humans feels a little terrifying, you’re not alone. Many writers worry about being judged, doing it “wrong”, or choosing the wrong people. So today, let’s slow the whole process down and walk through it calmly — from picking beta-readers to sending your draft in a simple, organised way.
How to Choose an Editor Without Costly Mistakes
You know you need one. You’ve heard horror stories about bad edits. You’ve seen wildly different prices. You’ve been told, vaguely, that “a good editor is worth it.” But what does that actually mean in practice?
Does Your Opening Sentence Have to Be Unique? — A Writer’s Guide
Writers often agonise over their first sentence, fearing it must be utterly original to work. Let me gently reframes that pressure — showing that engagement, voice, and invitation matter far more than uniqueness when opening a story.
How To Stop Repeating The Same Words
Writers worry about repeating words not because they want fancy language, but because they want to keep their natural voice. This article focuses on noticing habitual word patterns and gently expanding choices so prose stays clear and precise — more like developing editor awareness than using a thesaurus.
Readers Asked Us: Should I Hire an Editor Before I Finish My Draft?
Writers usually ask whether to hire an editor early out of anxiety, not incompetence. In most cases it’s better to finish a full draft first, because editors work best with a complete manuscript. Early help can be useful only if a writer is truly lost — and that help should be big-picture guidance rather than line editing.
Illustrations in Children’s Books vs Adult Books
Illustration doesn’t mean the same thing in every book. It signals different things depending on audience, genre and expectation — and when those signals are crossed, books can feel confusing, amateur, or simply misjudged. This article is about understanding what illustrations communicate before a single word is read — and why children’s books and adult books play by very different visual rules.