Take a look at our blog posts below to get inspired before the festival:
Game Writing’s No Game: Why Interactive Writing Isn’t Simple – by Leon Lynn
Video games perhaps aren’t the first things that come to your mind when you’re asked to think of art or literature. In fact, many people I speak to about games writing seem unaware or even surprised that games can, and today often do, carry a narrative and artistic depth similar to or even surpassing cinematic, … More Game Writing’s No Game: Why Interactive Writing Isn’t Simple – by Leon Lynn
Beth Miller Catch-up Interview
Beth Miller Author of The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright, The Two Hearts of Eliza Bloom, The Good Neighbour, When We Were Sisters, For the Love of The Archers and For the Love of Shakespeare. Interview with Sharron Green. I thoroughly enjoyed Beth’s talk at the Surrey New Writers Festival in 2020, just before we went … More Beth Miller Catch-up Interview
An Introduction to Instapoetry by Sharron Green
In recent years the definition of poetry has been broadened and democratised, just as barriers to and the mystique of it have dissolved. Since Instagram arrived in 2010 it has helped poets connect and build a poetry community, encouraging many to write who otherwise might not have considered it. Canadian, Rupi Kaur is credited with … More An Introduction to Instapoetry by Sharron Green
10 Must Read Feminist Books by Gigi Bushell
“One must always be careful of books and what’s inside them, for words have the power to change us.” Cassandra Clare We’ve all heard the term feminism before whether it was earlier today, last year, or when you were 12. Some of us might even consider ourselves feminists whether we shout it loud and proud … More 10 Must Read Feminist Books by Gigi Bushell
Screen Tricks and Chill – by Sarah Callow
A locked down Valentine’s Day has just passed and many of us may have spent the evening in front of the TV, with or without that special someone. The latest figures from Ofcom show a 40% rise in viewing time. After all, the real love affair of the past few months has been with our screens. Writers can, however, indulge guilt free in quality time with the … More Screen Tricks and Chill – by Sarah Callow
Accuracy vs. Character: The Debate Around Biographical Fiction – by Chiara Fumanti
Reality is a fact. Right? Well… In the realm of life writing, reality might not be as straightforward as it seems. A few years ago, I asked my grandmother if she could tell me about her life. I wanted to write about it, but I never thought I actually would. A few months after she … More Accuracy vs. Character: The Debate Around Biographical Fiction – by Chiara Fumanti
How Blackout Poetry Can Bring Colour to Your Creative Writing and Reading – by Emily Wootton
Emily delves into the form of blackout poetry and discovers it might be the perfect way to induce creativity. The name might sound dull, but blackout poetry (or erasure poetry) is anything but. If you’re a writer and haven’t tried writing blackout poetry before, it might just be the form that’s missing from your repertoire. … More How Blackout Poetry Can Bring Colour to Your Creative Writing and Reading – by Emily Wootton
Amanda Gorman & Our Laureates Across the Pond – by Laurs Oakley
Inspired by Amanda Gorman’s incredible reading at the 2021 inauguration of President Biden, Laurs takes a look at the laureate programs we have in the UK. It seems I am not the only one in awe of Amanda Gorman and her poem, The Hill We Climb after her reading at the U.S president’s inauguration. The world has woken up to a … More Amanda Gorman & Our Laureates Across the Pond – by Laurs Oakley
New Year, New You: 8 Books to Get You Inspired – by Tenikah Beveney
With a humorous look back on 2020, Tenikah recommends eight brilliant books to inspire a new year of growth and kindness. A new year brings new hope and 2021 is no different. After a year that can only be described as literally a living hell, we all have our fingers, toes, eyes, nose and practically every … More New Year, New You: 8 Books to Get You Inspired – by Tenikah Beveney