Year: 2025
-
The Plot Thickens: Why Structure Isn’t a Dirty Word
Creative writing isn’t just about letting your imagination run wild; it’s about corralling it into a sensible narrative. And for this, we need structure. Tom Sherrington talks about the importance of ‘modelling’ and ‘scaffolding.’ We need to show students what a plot looks like. Introduce them to the classic three-act…
-
The ethical debates surrounding brain-computer interfaces.
The rapid advancements in genetic testing are opening up possibilities for “predictive parenting,” where prospective parents might use genetic data to predict a child’s predispositions for certain traits, health conditions, or even aptitudes. While this could potentially inform health interventions, it also presents profound ethical dilemmas. Would such predictions lead…
-
The Show, Don’t Tell Masterclass: A Simple Trick to a Better Story
This is probably the single most important lesson in all of creative writing. “Show, don’t tell.” And it’s a tricky one to master. Instead of telling the reader, “The character was sad,” we need to show them: “Tears welled in his eyes, and he bit his lip to stop a…
-
The allure of the “digital escape” from reality.
Virtual reality (VR) promises immersive experiences that could revolutionise education, entertainment, and remote work. However, the potential for VR to become a new form of societal control, akin to a digital prison or a tool for mass manipulation, raises chilling questions. Imagine a world where people retreat into perfectly crafted…
-
The Vocabulary Bank: It’s Not Just for the Word Nerds
When teaching creative writing, vocabulary is our currency. And as Alex Quigley explains in his work, we need to be deliberate about teaching it. Forget those dreary vocabulary lists. Instead, let’s make it fun. Create ‘word banks’ for different genres. A horror story needs ‘creeping,’ ‘whispering,’ and ‘chilling’ words. A…
-
How do we define “human” in an age of cybernetic enhancements?
In the vast landscape of the internet, we often find ourselves inadvertently enclosed within “filter bubbles” and “echo chambers.” Algorithms curate our online experience, showing us content that aligns with our past preferences and beliefs, while echo chambers are reinforced by our tendency to connect with like-minded individuals. While these…
-
The Humour and Horror of Adjectives: Don’t Overdo It!
We’ve all seen it: a piece of writing drowning in a sea of adjectives. Every noun has a ‘deep, dark, mysterious’ adjective attached to it. It’s like a writer went mad in a thesaurus factory. And while it might seem like a good thing, it’s often a sign of a…
-
The role of propaganda in maintaining control.
As AI systems become more sophisticated, the concept of fully autonomous AI — operating without direct human intervention — transitions from science fiction to a tangible possibility. While offering immense potential for efficiency in areas like self-driving vehicles, drone delivery, or complex logistical operations, the risks associated with true autonomy…
-
The Power of ‘I Do, We Do, You Do’: A Simple Recipe for Success
This is the holy grail of explicit instruction. It’s a classic for a reason, and it works an absolute treat in creative writing. ‘I Do’ is where you model the process: “I’m going to write a character description now. Watch me as I think aloud about my word choices.” ‘We…
-
Can technology ever truly replace human connection?
Algorithms are increasingly making decisions that impact our lives, from loan applications and job hiring to criminal justice sentencing. While touted for their efficiency and objectivity, these systems are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on, and the human biases embedded within it. Algorithmic bias occurs when…
Antony West (Author) 