Jacq Molloy’s top writing tips

The start of the year is always a time for new year’s resolutions, and setting (or resetting) a regular writing habit is likely to be near the top of the list for many of us writers and poets.

Our brilliant tutor Jacq Molloy has shared her top writing tips to get you inspired.

1. My favourite writing quote ever – it says it all! This gets attributed to several writers depending where you find it – William Faulkner is the popular choice. “I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.”
2. Write your first draft fast and don’t overthink it.
3. Don’t stop and edit as you draft – you may end up with a ‘perfect’ first page but you may never finish anything.
4. Use a timer to keep you focused if you find it hard to sit still and write at times.
5. Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge what you do well in your writing while being realistic about the parts that still need developing. Then seek constructive critical feedback, reflect on it, then push on.

Jacq is an award-winning short story writer, performed playwright and freelanced for many years as an arts writer for magazines/newspapers. Her short stories have won/placed in competitions such as Mslexia Magazine short story competition, The Brighton Prize, Frome short story competition and been published in anthologies. She has been a creative writing tutor for 18 years and also coaches writers. Jacq has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Sussex University and is a Certified Writing Coach through NAWE, (National Association of Writers in Education)