You may not believe this, but film-making and film studies on the one hand, and writing on the other, have a great deal in common.
Read MoreFilm Studies as a way to improve your writing
Creative Writing
Review of the Penguin Book of Oulipo
The word Oulipo is an acronym of a French group, Ouvroir de littérature potentielle. This is usually translated as Workshop of Potential Literature, although given its association with the sharing and critique of work on creative writing courses, the word ‘workshop’ might be ditched in favour of ‘work room’.
Read MoreRevoke of the Penny Borough of Ourselves
One of the techniques employed by the Oulipo is known as N+7. This is where you take each noun, and replace it with a word that is seven words on in the dictionary. Of course, results vary according to what dictionary you use. The following article is an N+7 version of my review of the Penguin Book of Oulipo. Enjoy!
Read More
ALCS and SoA Educational Writers Awards 2019 by Terry Freedman (2).JPG
ALCS Educational Writers Awards
The shortlisted books for the annual ALCS Educational Writers’ Awards were as beautiful and informative as ever this year.
Read MoreGood reading for would-be good writers
I’ve spent the last term on a course called Great European Short Stories. Here are my views on the course, the tutor, and the other courses of his that I’ve attended.
Read More
Lloyds Building, London, by Terry Freedman
My non-writing writing day
Not every day for the writer has to involve actual writing.
Read MoreReview: Short-Form Creative Writing
Short-form writing is neither quick nor easy, but the effort is, in my opinion, worth it. This book explores the form with useful information, challenging exercises, and interesting examples.
Read MoreShort story adventures
My first foray into the world of Oulipo.
Read More
Click on the cover to be take to the book’s Amazon page (please note, this is an Amazon affiliate link).
Quick look: Short-form creative writing: a writer's guide and anthology
You may be very good at condensing a complex argument and proposals down to no more than six bullet points (as one of my line managers always demanded). This book makes it clear that there are more creative opportunities too.
Read More
A zombie in London, by Terry Freedman. The “zombibe” pictured is James, from the Hel’s Angels agency.
World Zombie Day
You never know who you’re going to meet in London. Yesterday, I saw a zombie walking around the Microsoft Decoded conference.
Read More
Empty bench and table, by Terry Freedman
The power of the one-sided conversation
How about forgetting all that “She said…”, “He said…” stuff? There is real power in a piece of prose or poetry where you can “hear” only one side of the conversation.
Read More
Cine camera by Terry Freedman
How my writing career was nearly finished before it even began
What was it a teacher said that in effect caused me to stop writing for years? And what have I learnt from it?
Read More
Cup viewed from above by Terry Freedman
Photoprompt #7
An unusual view of an everyday object.
Read MoreReview of a creative nonfiction course
I recently did a creative writing course. Here are my reflections on it.
Read More
Frazzled, by Terry Freedman
Review of the American Gothic course at the City Lit
Why has doing a course on American fiction been so enjoyable, and useful to me as a non-fiction writer?
Read More
Tired of London? by Terry Freedman
Photoprompt #2
Today’s photo prompt is a photo I took with my phone in the back streets of London.
Read More
Caroline O'Donogue interviewing Holly Bourne at the London Book Fair 2019, by Terry Freedman
Love and relationship writing -- same old pap?
Why creative writing courses are good for your soul as well as for developing your writing technique.
Read MorePhotoprompt #1
Images can be quite useful for sparking off the imagination, so I thought I’d post photos or drawings when I can, for people to use as prompts if they wish. Let me know if you do!
Read More
A printing press at the British Library
The Caxton Printing Press in action
As far as I’m concerned, it’s important for writers to become acquainted with other aspects of their craft, and to explore areas that are not immediately perceived to be “relevant”.
Read More
writers’ reference books, by Terry Freedman
Farewell to a brilliant writer
My personal tribute to the sports writer Hugh McIlvanney.
Read More