writing advice — Blog — Kate MacRitchie | Author of Fireside Fairy Tales

How To Write A Novel Fast (The Gentle Way)

After spending years writing my first novel (and shedding plenty tears) I vowed to do things differently next time. Writing books is my passion, surely it didn’t have to feel so hard?

WritingKate MacRitchieSeptember 19, 2022write a novel fast, how to write a novel, writing advice, how to plot a novel, gently plot a novel, one page novel

How To Enchant Your Readers With A Rock-Solid Setting

Setting is perhaps more important to Fantasy writers than any other genre.

WritingKate MacRitchieJune 26, 2021writing hacks, writergram, writing tips, writing, writing advice, write rock-solid settings, how to write immersrive fantasy settings, how to write fantasy, how to world buildComment

Last Minute NaNoWriMo Prep

It’s the last weekend before National Novel Writing Month. Before you write off participating, I’m here to tell you there’s still time to prepare. 2020’s been rough, might as well get a novel out of it!

WritingKate MacRitchieOctober 28, 2020nanowrimo, nanowrimo2020, nanowrimo prep, win nanowrimo, preparing for nanowrimo, preptober, writing advice, eva deverell, rachael stephenComment

Plot A Novel - On One Page!

I’m euphoric! I’ve just finished the first draft of Against the Sun, my latest novel, and it only took four months. Scenes are (mostly) in the right place and my protagonist’s arc is solid. There isn’t a spare character in sight and I’m confident this book will take less time to edit than my last. I owe it all to Eva Deverell and her One Page Novel course.

WritingKate MacRitchieAugust 26, 2020writing, writing advice, writing blog, writers lifestyle, authorpreneur, author blog, eva deverell, one page novel, novel plotting, how to plot a novelComment

How To Edit Your Novel When You Don't Know Where To Start

Why can’t first drafts be perfect? I knew I wouldn’t get away scot-free, but wasn’t quite prepared for the mountain of revisions. Where was my Zadie Smith moment - grabbing a bottle of champagne and having a introspective moment of satisfaction and emptiness in my garden? Instead I’d reached a false summit, the way forward shrouded by mist. I didn’t know where to go next.

WritingKate MacRitchieAugust 17, 2020writing, editing, editing a novel, novel magic kit, writing tips, writing advice, writers blog Comments

Keeping A Writer's Notebook

On Monday I asked via Instagram Stories whether you’d like a post on searching for literary agents or how to keep a writer’s notebook - as you can see, the writer’s notebook won!

WritingKate MacRitchieAugust 4, 2020writers lifestyle, writing habits, writing hacks, writing advice, writing process, writing life, writing, writing blog, writers of instagramComment

Using Word Counts To Achieve Your Writing Goals

I have a rocky relationship with word counts. They go down when I want them to go up, and soar out of control when I’d rather be concise. I’ve found word counts motivating, stifling, an uplifting measurement of progress and a way to disguise floundering as progress.

WritingKate MacRitchieJuly 31, 2020writers lifestyle, writing habits, writing, creative lifestyle, word counts, writing goals, writing tips, writing advice Comments

3 Words That Describe Me As A Writer

I’ve been many different types of writer. Aspiring. Pantser. Plotter. Bad. Solitary. Slow. Multi-tasker. Recently my writing has shifted into a new phase. I’ve never felt more in tune with the way I write and what I want to write about. It made me realise I’ve changed a lot from my teenage, Tolkien-inspired scribbles…

WritingKate MacRitchieJune 22, 2020novel magic kit, writers blog, writing advice, writing hacks, writing process, writers lifestyle, writing life, writing, writing inspiration Comments

My Writing Process

Today I want to show you what my writing process looks like - from first idea to finished story. I’ve avoided creating these types of post in the past because, being unpublished, I don’t feel like a ‘proper writer’. But you don’t spend the majority of your life writing without developing some kind of process. I like to think mine is pretty foolproof by now, so I thought I’d outline it here for anyone who might find it useful.

WritingKate MacRitchieMay 9, 2020writing advice, writing tips, writing, writing life, writers blog, writing blog, writing process Comments

World-Building With Eva Deverell

I draw endless inspiration from my immediate surroundings, but every so often I like to escape. Usually, I do this by reading a book. I’m sure you do, too. But what if you don’t have a book? Or the worlds therein aren’t to your liking? What if you could escape to a world of your own invention with just a piece of paper, a pencil and your imagination?

WritingKate MacRitchieMarch 27, 2020writing, writing inspiration, writing tips, writing blog, writers blog, writing life, writing subtext, writing advice, eva deverell, world buildingComment