What Should I Write to Get Through the Ugly-Duckling Phase as Fast as Possible?

The winning question from our Itch of Writing 2nd Birthday Competition - and my reply.

14 hrs ago • 

Emma Darwin

16

1

November 2025

The Documents in the Case

Using letters, diaries, newspapers, texts, emails and other standalone texts in your fiction

Nov 28 • 

Emma Darwin

6

8

3

Narrative Setup and Psychic Distance

Five examples of how I used my favourite writing tools of all in my new novel The Bruegel Boy

Nov 21 • 

Emma Darwin

18

2

Happy 2nd Birthday This Itch of Writing!

Celebrate with me by entering the competion to win an exclusive Itch of Writing notebook.

Nov 17 • 

Emma Darwin

20

17

3

Ten Better Ideas than "Write What You Know"

And why "Write what you know" is nonetheless worth bearing in mind

Nov 14 • 

Emma Darwin

10

4

5

Q&A: Viewpoint Colouring Narrative Voice, Shocking Advice, and What's Wrong with 'It was a dark and stormy night'?

The pick of the Itch of Writing Ask Me Anything Chats

Nov 7 • 

Emma Darwin

10

1

October 2025

When facts mess with your fiction

And why you should never apologise and rarely explain

Oct 31 • 

Emma Darwin

12

4

2

Ten Questions to Ask Your Dual- or Parallel-Narrative Novel

Make sure your non-linear story is more than worth the reader's time.

Oct 24 • 

Emma Darwin

35

7

13

Ten Things Which Say Your Book is Ready to Go Out

And how to get brave enough to press Send

Oct 17 • 

Emma Darwin

11

2

3

Thirteen Things Writers Can Learn From The Theatre

From First Ideas to First Night

Oct 10 • 

Emma Darwin

31

6

4

FREEWRITING: The Itch of Writing Guide

What it is, why it works, how to do it, and all the ways you can use it to develop your writing self and your work in progress

Oct 3 • 

Emma Darwin

14

3

September 2025

Itchy Bitesized 40: The Six Ps of Revising and Editing

By asking your story six Q's

Sep 26 • 

Emma Darwin

42

4

12