Ian McMillan: Why the key to good writing is avoiding the Truth
yorkshirepost.co.uk – Sunday September 11, 2016

In my writing, I try to avoid the truth. No, that’s not quite right. What I mean is that in my writing I try to avoid Truth, and that’s slightly different. As well as avoiding Truth I do my best to steer clear of Fear, Hate, Desire and Love. The clue, of course, is in the capital letters: I’m talking about abstract nouns here. The great poet Ezra Pound said “Go in fear of abstractions” and he was right.
To read the full article on yorkshirepost.co.uk, click here


Turning Pages: When it's good to break the writing rules
4 Ways Good Editors Improve the Freelance Writing Experience
What’s the secret of good writing?
10 free online writing courses for getting real good at words
“I do not think it is a good story.” Never ask Charles Dickens for writing advice.
A reminder of how good writing happens
The 13 secrets to writing a really good novel
Finding good literary agents
Thematic writing: a method
One Neat Trick to Writing Great Mystery Plots
3 Common Writing Mistakes New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors Make
Rude awakening: three essential rules for writing good sex
‘Writing a good sex scene is a skill you hone over and over again’
Writing books is not a sane way to make a living
Winning writing competitions
New Literary Agent Listing: Jenny Lewis
New Publisher Listing: Fidelis Books
UK publishers unite behind major campaign championing print
New Literary Agency Listing: Blueprint Literary
JK Rowling’s agent launches a new chapter for muted writers
Brockhall author calls on local writers to get in touch after launching literary agency
New Publisher Listing: KiN-TXT
Maidstone LitFest 2026: Sian Williams, Helen McGinn, Adele Parks plus children’s authors Onjali Q. Raúf and Harriet Muncaster
Publishing industry lays down AI rules to counter 'click-to-publish' books
Obituary: Edite Kroll
New Literary Agent Listing: Ellen Scott
Quest is a highly designed sci-fi and fantasy magazine built for web fiction
New Publisher Listing: Iron Stream
