Skip to content

the hangout for new and inexperienced writers of nonfiction

  • About us
  • Be a guest blogger
  • Contact
  • Writing and editing services
  • Ghostwriting service
  • Writers’ forums
  • Useful links and resources
  • Workshops

Menu

  • Home
  • Writing genres
    • Life story
    • Autobiography and memoir
    • Family history
    • Oral history
    • Local and social history
    • Scrapbook and photo journaling
    • Food writing
    • Travel writing
    • Company histories
    • Creative nonfiction
  • Blogging
  • Writing tips and tools
    • Writing tips
    • Writing tools
    • Editing and proofreading
  • Grammar and style
    • English grammar tips
    • Writing style
  • Writer’s markets
  • Courses
  • Shop

Month: December 2017

7 quick tips on how to be your own editor

7 quick tips on how to be your own editor

James Thurber is quoted as saying “Don’t get it right, just get it written.” But then what? Nobody, not even experienced writers get it right first time and so the next step after “just get it written”, is to go back,

Chris 12/20/201701/10/2018 Editing and proofreading No Comments Read more

How an everyday object can inspire you to write (or 101 uses for ….)

How an everyday object can inspire you to write

If you are a new or inexperienced writer and struggling to find something to write about, discover how an everyday object can inspire you to write. There are numerous books and websites (serious and not so serious) which suggest multiple

Chris 12/19/2017 Writing tips No Comments Read more

Create an oral history to capture the stories people have to tell

Create an oral history

Before written communication evolved the only way history could be passed down was through the spoken word. But even when written communication became possible the oral tradition continued and so many stories were passed down through generations and communities by word of mouth. Although

Chris 12/13/2017 Local and social history No Comments Read more

Words that sound or look alike

words that sound or look alike

In my blog Frequently misused words – damp squid and other blunders I talked about words that are frequently used incorrectly and so I thought I would continue on a similar theme but this time with words that sound or look alike

Chris 12/13/201712/13/2017 English grammar tips No Comments Read more

Are hyphens really necessary?

Are hyphens really necessary

There is some controversy over the use of hyphens (even are hyphens really necessary) and no doubt the debate will go on. But what are hyphens and why do some of us think they are an important part of the English language?  Hyphens

Chris 12/13/2017 English grammar tips No Comments Read more

Frequently misused words – damp squib and other blunders

Frequently misused words

This blog is all about frequently misused words so let’s start with Damp squib which I have used in the title. The correct phrase is Damp squib (when something is less impressive than expected) but it is often incorrectly written and pronounced as Damp squid. Now you

Chris 12/12/201710/07/2021 English grammar tips 1 Comment Read more

The use of apostrophes – banana’s 70p a kilo

The use of apostrophes

Can you spot what is wrong with banana’s 70p a kilo in the title to this blog post? No? Then probably like many other people you are confused about where and when to use apostrophes (‘). In English, there are just

Chris 12/12/201712/12/2017 English grammar tips No Comments Read more

Writing for the nostalgia market – in print and online

Writing for the nostalgia market

If you have some nostalgic memories you would like to share, then read on to find what opportunities there are in writing for the nostalgia market. Nostalgia isn’t just about war-time experiences You can be nostalgic about any period –

Chris 12/11/2017 Writer's markets No Comments Read more

Company, family business and club histories

Company, family business and club histories

Do you run a company that has a significant anniversary coming up? Do you own a family business that has a story to tell? Have you been asked to write the history of your organisation, association or club? We can

Chris 12/08/2017 Company histories No Comments Read more

Creative nonfiction – a brief introduction

Creative nonfiction

From autobiography, memoir, personal essays, family history and local history to travel writing, business writing, self-help, food writing, health and fitness, these all come under the heading of nonfiction. And, because of their diversity, they are the widest category in literature –

Chris 12/05/2017 Creative nonfiction No Comments Read more

Recent Posts

  • Create a family photo book
  • Could a ghostwriter help you write your story?
  • Processing your oral history interview
  • Recording an oral history interview – what equipment do you need?
  • Setting up your oral history interview
Copyright © 2023 All rights reserved.Theme: Spacious Pro by ThemeGrill. Powered by: WordPress
  • Privacy Policy
  • Acceptable use policy
  • Terms of website use