I was recently made aware of a website called AnswerThePublic, which is essentially a database in which you can enter a key word and receive a report based on every phrase or question that the public are currently asking about that word on search engines such as Google. It’s aimed at marketing people but is also a useful resource for anyone wanting ideas for content. You can only search for a … [Read more...] about Can writing be taught? Plus other FAQs about writing and storytelling
writing to heal
What Molly Ringwald taught me about sharing a personal story
Last week I read an interview in The Guardian with actress Molly Ringwald that revealed she was consumed by stage fright for the first time in her career when she was about to tell a deeply personal story at live storytelling event The Moth. With no script or character to hide behind, she was out there in the open - just herself and her true story. I'm often asked how you know whether or not a … [Read more...] about What Molly Ringwald taught me about sharing a personal story
The thrill of appearing outside yourself
There’s no getting away from the fact that I was a shy child. All through my school years my reports praised my conscientiousness and good standard of work but repeatedly criticised me for not speaking up. A typical comment was: “Beverley is a quiet girl who would benefit from participating more in class discussions.” My teachers didn’t seem to consider my shyness might be a factor in this, or … [Read more...] about The thrill of appearing outside yourself
Writing to heal: how to be a proper journalist
I’m a passionate advocate of writing to heal. And as journalist of some 30-odd years (some of them very odd), I am naturally drawn to the practice of journaling. It’s a simple healing tool that can reduce stress, liberate you from limiting self-beliefs and even give your life new meaning. Research has found that writing about painful experiences boosts the immune system, reduces trips to the … [Read more...] about Writing to heal: how to be a proper journalist
Is the pen mightier than the diet?
All you need to do to lose weight is spend 15 minutes writing about the values that are most important to you. This is according to a new study published in the magazine Psychological Science, in which researchers recruited 45 female undergraduates who had a body mass index of 23 or higher (58 per cent of the women were classified as overweight or obese). Each woman was weighed, then given a … [Read more...] about Is the pen mightier than the diet?