For anyone who reads this blog regularly you’ll know I have been featuring interviews with writers since September 2025. I’ve taken a bit of a break from the interviews just now to focus on some of my own writing commitments. I also miss just doing my own random blog posts, so even although I will return with other interviews in the future, it won’t be such a regular feature going forward.
I put together this post as a way of highlighting some great advice from all of the featured writers, to help keep me motivated, and hopefully you too! When starting new projects, or struggling to find one that sticks, (something I am experiencing just now…), it’s good to remind ourselves we’re not alone in this experience, and to keep going!
This post is also an easy way to click on provided links to read through all of the interviews (and check out the writers’ work!). Thank you again to the writers who took the time to let me interview them. Happy reading (and writing).
“Read, read, read and write, write, write. In my experience, first drafts are hard; editing is easier, but you can’t edit a blank page. Join writers’ groups. Perhaps take a formal course and meet fellow writing students. Being part of a lovely tribe is a great way to feel motivated.” Rachel Sargeant, Author or Suspense and Crime Fiction Read full interview here Buy Rachel’s books here
“Find a routine and style that works for you… Challenges like NaNoWriMo help to motivate me to sit down and write. In the last few years, I’ve found myself being more productive in the mornings, getting up a little earlier before work and getting some writing in before I start.” Lynsey Helen Mitchell, YA Horror Writer Read full interview here Buy Lynsey’s YA horror here
“I would say keep writing, learning, experimenting in your practice …Soak it all up and enjoy the process – from that will come your creativity and possibly your best pieces. Find like-minded people to write with, whether that’s informal creative writing groups, workshops, retreats – somewhere where others are writing too, which helps you stay motivated and accountable.” Yasmin Hanif, Children’s Writer Read full interview here Buy Yasmin’s debut picture book here
“Write every day, even if it’s a hundred words. No writing is ever wasted. And read for pleasure every day too. What works for me to keep me motivated is to never have a fixed outline to follow. I realise that this won’t work for everyone, but I find that I get easily bored if I don’t allow the characters to do their own thing within a loose storyline. Also, switch off your phone!” Denise Brown, Author of YA Mystery Thrillers Read full interview here Buy Denise’s books here
“My biggest tip …would be to never give up on your ideas. They might not be for everyone and you might need to reflect on any critiques you are given, but if you are open to developing your writing, you give yourself a much better chance of achieving your goals.” ES David, Author of YA Fantasy Adventure Read full interview here Buy ES David’s debut YA Fantasy here
“Read widely and critically for inspiration and to learn the craft –…acknowledge that writing is difficult and completing a novel is a lengthy job – so it will be very hard to sustain at times, but know that this is everyone’s experience and we can do it if we persevere. I’d suggest, if stuck and struggling to move forward, if you have a high-octane scene in mind for later in the book, jump ahead and write it and hopefully bring some excitement back.” Fiona Lindsay, Romance Author Read full interview here Buy Fiona’s Scottish romance series here
“Get a teacher. Do a course. Sign up for a workshop. Do all of the above. Write whatever comes. I don’t stop to think or analyze as I don’t want my brain to get involved. Then it would probably instantly stall most of my ideas.” Catarina Lilliehook, Fantasy Adventure Writer Read full interview here Buy Catarina’s debut mystical fantasy book here
“Keep reading, as that’s how we best learn what works and what doesn’t, and what type of writer we aspire to be. And don’t give up at the first few hurdles – we all have to learn as we go, as in any other creative pursuit.” Rosemary Gemmell, Author of Contemporary and Historical Fiction Read full interview here Buy Rosemary’s books here
“There’s no option but to write and to keep writing… Above all, I’d advise any aspiring writer to join a writing group either in person or online. Don’t dwell on past mistakes! And let your piece of writing go. Most writers have a tendency to revise and revise and revise. Yes, make it as good as you can but at some point you have to send it out into the world.” Myra Duffy, Author of Cosy Crime Read full interview here Buy Myra’s books here
“…the answer to do things, is always do it…If you’ve got nothing to work on, no one can help you. You’ve got to start somewhere. I used to think fear was this negative thing, but what I realised is I can be afraid, and still achieve….Stop seeing fear as a problem, see it as a challenge. Everyone’s afraid. Once you’ve done it, you’re not afraid of it again.” Layla Blackwell, Writer, Journalist and Disability Empowerment Coach Read Part 1 Interview here and Part 2 here See Layla’s coaching website here
“If you are struggling to write, just start with a sentence – it doesn’t matter how bad or good it is, get something down on the page and then take it from there. An external or self-imposed deadline (such as a competition entry) helps me enormously, as a result of years of journalism. I am terrible for thinking I’ll write more when…My current ‘when’ is when I have a writing shed but having read Brian Bilston’s very funny ‘Diary of a Somebody’ I realise a/ I am not alone in this and b/ it won’t necessarily help my productivity.” Judith Vallely, Journalist and Author of Historical non-fiction Read the full interview here Buy Judith’s books here
VICTORIA GEMMELL 