Welcome to my blog

Here you’ll find writing tips, techniques and prompts. If you’d like weekly updates on my current writing process and projects, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, Awen.

Lists
Mel Parks Mel Parks

Lists

Lists - a technique inspired by Sei Shonagon’s The Pillow Book for journalling, for list poems and to blast writing blocks. Play with lists often!

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Fairy Tales
Mel Parks Mel Parks

Fairy Tales

How to use fairy tales to inspire and structure your own stories, while also reimagining the stories we live with.

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Using moon cycles to plan creative projects
Mel Parks Mel Parks

Using moon cycles to plan creative projects

Planning creative writing projects using the cycles of the moon. Making the most of days that are better for generating ideas or days that are better for planning, editing or proofreading. Set intentions each new moon.

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Steppingstones
Mel Parks Mel Parks

Steppingstones

A journalling technique using key moments to tell your life story. Also helps to structure memoir or a novel.

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Character Questions
Mel Parks Mel Parks

Character Questions

Character Questions - getting to know your character for short stories, novels, memoir.

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Point of View
Mel Parks Mel Parks

Point of View

Three quick tips when considering point of view in your story.

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How to write dialogue
Mel Parks Mel Parks

How to write dialogue

Four quick tips for writing dialogue plus an example from Julie Corbin’s novel in progress.

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Honesty Box

Painted wooden roadside box with an open door containing books.

Photo credit: Madalyn Cox on Unsplash

Honesty Box Donation

Imagine this is a roadside honesty box where I share what I know how to do with you - open the wooden door and you’ll find little envelopes of techniques, prompts, reading suggestions, workshop ideas and creative inspiration. Next to these envelopes is a box where you can slip in some coins or if you’re feeling particularly generous, a £10 note or two!

I love to think of you reading, feeling inspired by and using what I've written but it does take time and for me to be able to continue, I am trying out ways to make it pay without adverts, paid subscriptions, memberships or paywalls. Instead, I'll continue to provide this content for free, with an invitation to you to donate to my honesty box if you can and would like to. Click on the button below to donate. Thank you!