Writing Tips and Expert Advice
Popular Stories
Spotlight on Sarah Lang
Written by former AUT journalism student TOM TAYLOR Award-winning journalist Sarah Lang has built a highly successful career on her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities
How to Write and Sell Articles in New Zealand
So you want to write and sell articles in New Zealand? Writing is an excellent way for Kiwis to earn extra income from home. If
Destigmatising AI: Why ChatGPT Isn’t Here to Replace You
For eight years, Amanda Penton of QuickFuse Studios has handled marketing for prominent clients such as Only Organic, Takapoto Estate, Morris & James Pottery, and
3 Biggest Web Writing Mistakes for SEO
Imagine pouring hours into writing the perfect article, only to find that hardly anyone is reading it. Why? Because if your content doesn’t appear on the first page of Google search results, the likelihood of users seeing it is less than 1%. But don’t fret. Search engine optimisation (SEO) isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a […]
Why plain language is good for readers – and society as a whole
Plain language is about simplicity. Learn why it’s also about respect and social equality. ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,’ said Leonardo Da Vinci. He applied
Doubting Yourself as a Writer? You Are Not Alone.
Doubting yourself as a writer is more common than you think. How can you overcome self-doubt and find your writing voice? BY LAURA SWAIN Is
How Raising Money For Charity Can Raise Your Writing Game
Great fundraising campaigns can be masterclasses in powerful and emotive storytelling, as well as raising money for a worthy cause. Professional fundraiser BETH GOULSTONE shares three tips for better writing from the wonderful world of fundraising. When I started work as a fundraiser for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, I had a lot of questions. […]
Business Emails: How to Communicate Effectively
The average worker receives over 100 work emails per day and spends multiple hours reading and responding. Finding ways to communicate effectively through business email is key to time efficiency and productivity in the workplace. BY ANDREW BAIRD It’s no secret that business emails take up a large portion of every working day. With so […]
All About
Creative Writing Techniques
Write Articles for Digital and Print
Practical Strategies for Fearful Writers
BY JANE DANIELL If you, too, struggle with self-doubt when writing, the following tips may help you overcome some of the more common insecurities, while
The Modern Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Essential Tools to Supercharge Your Writing
Focusing on writing can feel impossible in today’s world full of deadlines and distractions. EMMA CLARKE shares six free digital tools to help freelance writers
How to Succeed in Content Writing
If you’ve ever wondered what makes the digital world tick, the answer is simple: content. It’s the words, images, videos and messages that keep audiences
Destigmatising AI: Why ChatGPT Isn’t Here to Replace You
For eight years, Amanda Penton of QuickFuse Studios has handled marketing for prominent clients such as Only Organic, Takapoto Estate, Morris & James Pottery, and
A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming a Writer – Part Two
Earning an income from freelance writing can be daunting. In part two of her series, KATE TAYLOR breaks the process into easy-to-follow steps. Writing is
The Healing Power of Writing
When life unravels, committing to a daily practice of writing can be tremendously healing and helpful. SUE FENTON explores the benefits of writing. Writers seem
Is My Freelance Writing Awful?
Does your passion for writing outweigh your skill? KATE TAYLOR explores what to do if you suspect your friends aren’t telling you the truth about
A Copywriting Deep Dive: The Role of Words in Modern Marketing
Many brands and marketers know what they want to say. Few know how to say it. That’s where copywriters come in. BY AMY TJASINK ‘Just
An Interview with Emma Russell, Award-Winning Investigative Journalist
WORDS BY JESS COOMBES Award-winning journalist Emma Russell has built a praiseworthy writing career in only six years. In 2017, she wrote for her home
5 Reasons Why Writers Should Use Visual Journalism
BY JANE GARDINER The world is changing, and digital media continues to adapt. Rather than despair, writers should see visual journalism as an opportunity for
Writers Evolve! How to Make AI Work for Us
The recent rise of AI has been seen by writers as anything from troubling to an extinction-level event. But so were the tools that came
4 Reasons ChatGPT Can’t Compete with Professional Writers
BY ANDREW MURTON If you believe the hustle-bros and get-rich-quick gurus on YouTube, just about anyone can earn easy money publishing professional-quality e-books, articles and
Student Successes
Web Writing Skills
Staying Motivated as a Writer
Explore the World and Write
An Interview with Author Madeleine Redding
Madeleine Redding completed two writing courses at New Zealand Writers College. Her memoir Hold My Hand, Rosie. Don’t Let Go, co-written with her daughter, is
Why Do a Travel Writing Course?
When every man and his dog thinks he’s a great travel writer, WENDY MONTROSE explains why she did a course before embarking on the road
Q & A With Travel Writer and Award-Winning Author: Joe Bennett
An ex-pat Brit who travelled to NZ 35 years ago and settled in Lyttelton, Joe Bennett is an award-winning travel author, writer, and columnist. His
Travel Writing: 5 Travel Writers Who Show It’s Never Too Late to Start
It’s never too late to start a career in travel writing. Here, Chris Shorrock focuses on five travel writers who show that with hard work
Watch a Q & A with Award-winning Tutors at Our College
Our team of Writers College writers/tutors answer your questions about the creative writing industry – and about getting published!