I often find that working on paper is better than working on a computer. For the initial outline anyway.
There are several reasons why working on – and with – paper is beneficial.
Read MoreNotebook, by Terry Freedman
Creative Writing
Review: Verb Your Enthusiasm: Two reviews in one!
No book about the craft of writing seems complete without a stern chapter on the importance of eschewing adverbs and adjectives - but what to put in their place?
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stop look listen, by Terry Freedman
No safety net
in Creative Writing, Events, Oulipo
Did you know that Raymond Queneau produced a single sonnet that could be read 100 trillion ways?
Read Morestop look listen, by Terry Freedman
What if the rules were the point? An advert for a creative writing course
in Creative Writing, Events, Oulipo
Lipograms, N+7, the snowball, and other techniques
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"Hugues Merle (French, 1823-1881), 'Hamlet and Ophelia'" by sofi01 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. Speech balloons added by Terry Freedman using Phrase it.
Alternative versions of Hamlet
In recent years I’ve become interested in a branch of writing called Oulipo, and have discovered that it’s not only people associated with the theatre or film who have put their individual stamp on Hamlet. Writers too have got in on the act.
Read MoreTwo previews
In this post I preview two books which you may be interested in. One is a series of autobiograohical stories, beautifully written, while the other comprises six writers explaining why they did what they did in their short story included in the book.
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Creative writing using constraints
in Creative Writing, Events, Oulipo
That’s the name of a one-day course I will be teaching at the City Lit on 13 June 2026. It’s already half full.
Read MoreReview: The Bengali Book of Short Stories -- two reviews in one!
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
Read MoreReview: In Writing -- two reviews in one!
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!
Read MoreRemembering Paul Jennings and a bit of a thrill
It’s really interesting looking at signs, because they either tell you so much, or you can use them to light a fire under your imagination.
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Saxophonist, by Terry Freedman
When it comes to writing, are you trying too hard?
Sometimes, when it comes to effort, less is more.
Read MoreHIJKLMNO: A Poem
A poem written within the parameters of a constraint of sorts.
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Created in Google Imagefx
My Writing course
I haven’t finished preparing the new course yet, but here are a few things I’m considering…
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Generated in AI
Epistolary: Letter to Rebecca #25-11
Did you know that Rebecca Holden and I write a letter on Substack to each other on Wednesdays? Well, we do, and this is the latest one from me to her. Read on for a jolly good chortle.
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How can you write a blog if you don't read any blogs?
Every time I teach my Writing for Blogs course, it transpires that some most of the people on the course do not read any blogs.
Battersea Power Station. Photo by Terry Freedman
My Writing Machine
I first had the idea for a writing machine many years ago, while watching an episode of the Avengers.
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Graphic by Terry Freedman
My North Thames Gas Saga
Quite by chance I’ve been reading about bureaucracy recently — such as in customer (dis)service — and it reminded me of North Thames Gas’s attempts to drive me mad. That was many years ago and North Thames Gas doesn’t even exist any more, but even now the mere mention of a gas company starts my nervous twitch going.
Read MoreTerry Freedman and Fred Terryman discuss the question: What makes a great and successful writer?
in Creative Writing, EiS
This is a transcript of a conversation between Fred Terryman and myself. It’s been lightly edited, with the pauses taken out for ease of reading.
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Oulipo word cloud
An upcoming creative writing course
in Oulipo, Events, Creative Writing
Can creative writing be automated (without using A|).
Read MoreImaginary libraries
in Creative Writing, Oulipo, Events
How many ways can you organise a library?
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