Sandra Harris Writes

  A BITTER WOMAN’S GUIDE TO WRITING. BY SANDRA HARRIS. 1.         Don’t bother with goals- you’ll never keep them anyway and you’ll only get depressed. 2.       Always wait for inspiration to strike before you write anything- there’s no point sitting staring at a blank screen twiddling your thumbs. Go on social media instead, see if inspiration strikes there. 3.       Don’t waste your time looking for writing ideas in nature or in observing other people. The ideas are already all in your own head- no outside input needed. 4.       Why bother reading anyone else’s books or writings? They’ll only confuse you and your own style will end up as an irritating hodge-podge of other people’s. Best to develop your own distinctive voice by staying away from other people’s. If you really must read something, try a celebrity magazine or, again, social media. 5.       Don’t waste your precious words on wh...

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR WRITING IDEAS FROM? BY SANDRA HARRIS. © People who know I’m a writer are always asking me where I get my ideas from. You can find inspiration literally anywhere in life, I tell them. Look around you in the house; pick up an ornament and make up a story about it, or write a non-fiction piece about its origins, if you know them. Read books, watch films, study paintings or listen to music. Better yet, get out of the house altogether and go for a walk.  It’s better than a book of writing prompts. You’ll see ideas around you wherever you look. People always look a bit dubious when I say that. A walk? Really? Just walking around and observing things and people? They probably wouldn’t believe me if I added that, if walking around the place observing and inter-acting with people were a job that you got paid for, I’d do it in a flash. And, just to prove my point about how rich and fruitful our local neighbourhoods can be as a source of inspiration and ideas for...