However, the question I’d like to pose this week is – What are the real benefits of blogs, from the perspective of those who read them?

As a Writing Coach, I see on a daily basis the importance of having a writing ritual, especially for those people who need to write daily. It’s as if sometimes our brains need that little trigger to put us into our ‘writing zone’.

I always find this an interesting question. Several years back when I asked the question, a high percentage of people (especially those over 65 years old) answered that they wrote by

Follow the guidelines – This sounds like a really basic statement, and in reality it is, but I expect most readers would be shocked if they heard just how many stories don’t get put in front of a judge purely because this point is ignored.

The Writing to Inspire e-zine goes out tonight (so if you haven’t subscribed and would like to receive it click here), which means I’m sitting here at my desk updating everything, including the dates for the Writing to Inspire online writing courses.

Do you focus on one writing from first draft to submission, or are you one of those amazing people who can focus on more than one project at a time?

If you had the opportunity of going on a writing retreat what would be the most important (and decision-making) aspects for you?

Well, that was a surprise. I just got another ‘thank you, but no thank you’ response to my mid grade novel. DARN! But the news, thankfully was not as impersonal as it could have been, and as rejections go it was extremely helpful and kind.

I know it’s kind of short notice, but I’ve got a couple of great 8 week courses starting on Monday. Normally I would give more warning than this, as most of you would know, but the opportunity was just to great to pass up.

This week I have found myself asked that age old question – should I use double or single inverted commas around dialogue?