'To me, writing is very much like archaeology; the uncovering of the layers of meaning to find the bare bones of story. '

To me, writing is very much like archaeology; the uncovering of the layers of meaning to find the bare bones of story. We reimagine the setting, looking for the imprint of human life.

The post Karin Altenberg appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Each rejection tends to have its own unique characteristics, and should therefore be responded to accordingly. '

Each rejection tends to have its own unique characteristics, and should therefore be responded to accordingly. There's always the first sadness to work through, frustration, perhaps anger.

The post Mark Illis appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Most poets have second jobs. No, let me put that another way; all poets have second jobs. '

Most poets have second jobs. No, let me put that another way; all poets have second jobs. In many cases, the second job is really the first job, and writing poetry is the second one.

The post Geoff Hattersley appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'They can't do that anymore. They're so used to pictures being there on a screen in front of them, not inside their heads.'

I've noticed that they can't do that anymore. They're so used to pictures being there on a screen in front of them, not inside their heads. They're losing the power of imagination.

The post Linda Hoy appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'What a weaselly concept 'fine writing' is, anyway. Like fine dining, it may look impressive, but if you're hungry, it won't do.'

What a weaselly concept 'fine writing' is, anyway. Like fine dining, it may look impressive, but if you're hungry, it won't do the business.

The post Lucy Lethbridge appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Reality, as defined by novelists, seemed to consist of being of a certain class in a certain city, experiencing certain emotions and situations.'

Reality, as defined by novelists, seemed to consist of being of a certain class in a certain city, experiencing certain emotions and situations. It didn't feel like my reality, which was highly uncertain.

The post Leila Rasheed appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'The best piece of advice I received, came when I attended an Arvon course, and it was almost a throwaway line from the tutor; inhabit your character.'

The best piece of advice I received, that shaped my writing practice, came when I attended an Arvon course, and it was almost a throwaway line from the tutor; inhabit your character.

The post Judith Allnatt appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Facing and swallowing rejection is perhaps a writer's most important skill. Resilience is a writer's superpower.'

Facing and swallowing rejection is perhaps a writer's most important skill. Resilience is a writer's superpower. Anyone can finesse a fine sentence, with a little practice.

The post Ros Barber appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Every day starts for me with The List. As this technically involves use of a pen, I feel that even if nothing more gets done, I have written.'

Every day starts for me with The List. As this technically involves use of a pen, I feel that even if nothing more gets done, I can truthfully say that I have written.

The post Catherine O’Flynn appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'And so I arrive at my desk, dogged and fogged by the play still hunting a producer, and the book that has come back again...'

And so I arrive at my desk, dogged and fogged by the play still hunting a producer, and the book that has come back again — this time, from a publishing house so small it must be staffed by Borrowers.

The post Fraser Grace appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.