What happens on a discovery call?

A discovery call is a thirty minute chat about what you need help with. It’s very informal, and is like having coffee with a friend.

What will we discuss on a coaching call?

We will talk about anything you like to do with your writing. I use my experience as a creative writing tutor to both offer possible solutions to issues, as well as coaching you to understand why you are experiencing the issue and how we can move forward. I also set tasks outside of our time together so that you can work toward your goals. All our conversations are confidential.

Can we meet in person?

During Covid I am happy to work with your time zone and meet you on Zoom.

Author: Rachel Grosvenor

Craft

Six Books on Writing I Recommend

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date June 4, 2025

Let’s chat about my favourite, and by that I mean my most recommended, books on writing. Why? Because if reading is how you become a better writer (spoiler alert, it is), imagine how great you’ll be if you’re reading about writing.

The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.

There are several books in this incredible series, from the Emotion Thesaurus’ to the Urban Setting Thesaurus, but this is my favourite. It is an unflinching examination of everything that could happen to a person, with triggers that might come from that, aftershocks, character traits, behaviours, and more. When it comes to creating a character and developing a plot around them (writing a character-driven novel), this book is so helpful that it ought to sit pride of place on your bookshelf. In fact, mine sits right beside me on my study desk, as I dip into it so often.

Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life – Dani Shapiro.

I have probably spoken about this before on the blog or in newsletters somewhere because this book is a firm fave and has been for years. If I were ever to gift a fellow writer a book, it would be this one. Why? Because it will give you insight into the life of a writer and, in doing so, make you feel seen. It’s a mixture of craft, memoir, and what it means to write. In short, it’s pretty wonderful.

Writing from the Senses: 59 Exercises to Ignite Creativity and Revitalize Your Writing – Laura Deutsch.

I found this book at a campsite book swap in the South Island, New Zealand. And it’s stunning. It focuses on that thing that really grabs your readers and pulls them into a story: the five senses. It is full of exercises and clever ideas to help you create.

How to Write Like Tolstoy – Richard Cohen

My inlaws gifted me this book when I graduated from my PhD. Then, it had just come out, and the title amused me. But, this isn’t really a book on how to write like Tolstoy, but it is an investigation into many storytellers’ processes, and it’s fascinating for it. It’s a very readable book, and I honestly think that even if you weren’t a writer, you would probably enjoy it!

Wonderbook – The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction – Jeff Vandermeer.

In terms of books on writing, this has got to be the most visually beautiful one ever written. This is for all you fantasy writers, and it is full of information focusing on craft and motivation. It has essays from some of the greats in it, too. I find myself dipping into this often, and its illustrations make it so enjoyable to read.

Taking Reality by Surprise – Susan Sellers.

I purchased this book in 2006 when I went to university for my undergraduate degree in Creative Writing. It still sits on my bookshelf today and is a great resource I use often. It has craft guidance with exercises and very practical advice, and I find the level of detail in what you need to undertake the tasks and exercises so valuable.

I would love to hear about the books you recommend. What is your favourite book on writing? Let me know!

Coaching

Join Me at a Writing Retreat in Tuscany!

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date May 21, 2025

Introducing…

Fiction Writing Fundamentals (a week-long Tuscan writing retreat).

April 29th – May 6th 2026

Join myself and fellow editor and coach Isobelle Lans for an inspiring creative writing retreat at a beautifully restored medieval estate in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Open to writers of all levels, this retreat is designed for those who have an idea for a fiction novel but haven’t started writing yet, as well as those who have just begun and need support to make progress.

Throughout the retreat, you will focus on key aspects of writing, from developing a compelling story idea to crafting well-rounded characters and worldbuilding. We will guide you in exploring plot structure, creating strong character arcs, and using your setting as a dynamic part of your story.

What’s included?

7 nights accommodation at the Tuscan estate

Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners prepared by a private chef

Welcome and farewell dinner; welcome and farewell cocktails

An on-site wine tour and tasting, and wine with dinners

Traditional oven-baked pizza workshop

Full-day trip to San Gimignano;

Half-day trip to the Frantoio Pasquini oil mill

Exclusive use of the property swimming pool and private lake

Fully staffed venue and private transportation between activities

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks available throughout the day

Round-trip transfers at pre-arranged times from/to Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)

Will we see you there?

Click here to learn more and

save your space!

Tags coaching retreat, editing retreat, fiction writing, fiction writing retreat, Italian retreat, italy, Tuscany, Writing Retreat, writing retreat in tuscany

Craft

Is Your Character Comfortable with Their Status?

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date May 4, 2025

Are You Comfortable with Your Status?

Oh, sorry, not you. Your character.

Let’s chat about it. Your character’s comfort in their status can say a lot about them. It can be a window into their mindset, confidence, and more.

Let’s explore this for just a moment (with an excellent example from How To Own The Room by Viv Groskop):

Your character is at a cocktail party. It’s a fancy, black-tie affair, and everyone is dressed up. Your character is wearing a suit, bowtie, and, it turns out, exactly the same attire as the waiting staff at the party. A peer walks into the room, looks around, and catches eye with your character. They go over, and instead of introducing themselves, they ask for a martini.

Now, pause for a moment…

What does your character do?

If your answer is that your character makes the martini, gives it to their peer, and laughs about it later with a friend, your character is happy with their status.

If your answer is that your character tells this person exactly who they are and that they should check themselves, getting irate, your character is unhappy with their status.

And so, if they’re unhappy with their status in society, in life, with their friends, what does this do to your novel? It creates a storyview* in which your character is prone to be the victim, ready to take offence, and quick to rise in temper. This, in turn, changes how you might introduce your character and what might drive your plot forward. Think of how they speak to other people (or dragons, depending on what you’re writing), how they dress, who they strive to be and where they want to go.

Could your character’s comfort level in their status be their sacred flaw? (Not sure what I’m talking about? Check out last month’s blog post!).

*Not a typo! Storyview vs Worldview is a concept explained by Jeff Vandermeer in Wonderbook – The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction, chapter 6.

Tags author advice, character, character arc, character status, characterisation, creative writing, dialogue tips, editing, fiction writing, narrative voice, plot development, prose style, Storytelling, worldbuilding, writing, writing prompts, writing tips

Coaching

How to Work with Me When I’m Fully Booked

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date April 4, 2025

If you’ve come here looking for editing and coaching help and can see that the banner above says I’m fully booked, don’t panic! I book up very quickly, between 10 months to a year in advance, but 1:1 is not the only way to work with me. Check out the following:

The Novel Writing Masterclass

This course includes 40 bite-size classes that fit into your busy life, designed to take you from idea to publication.

It’s been created with you in mind:

The person who wants to write but can’t find the time.
The person who wants to create a novel but doesn’t know where to start.
The person who isn’t sure what comes next when writing their novel.

Imagine:

Finding the time in your week to write.
Sitting down and knowing what you should be doing.
Having a programme that keeps you accountable to the written word.

No more writing woes because you know when to write, what to write, and where to go next.

The Fiction Fellowship

Are you a writer looking for your community?

The Fiction Fellowship focuses on fiction writers who are looking to connect with other creatives and hone their storytelling skills. Learning with others and having writing friends can make such a difference to your productivity and motivation, so we aim to provide an environment where you can make those connections and feel inspired to write.

With twice-weekly writing sprints, monthly community calls, and more, we’ll be with you every step of the way to help you develop your writing skills, expand your craft knowledge, and make progress in your writing.

What’s included:

Community Sessions
Writing Workbooks
Q&As
Complete post archive
Video Lessons
Private Community
Twice Weekly Live Writing Sprints
Accountability and Goal Setting
General Support

Run by myself and Isobelle of Inspired Creative Co, and we know that finding your writing community can lead to great things. So far, our writers have written over a million words!

If that’s what you’re looking for, then this is your space!

Connect with us on Instagram:

@rachelgrosvenorauthor

@inspiredcreativeco_

Writing Workbooks

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of writing? Are you struggling to find the time to write, unsure about creating a writing routine, and undecided about your writing goals?

If this sounds like you, it’s time to invest in yourself.

I have workbooks available if you are ready to:

Find time to write
Create a writing routine that fits with YOUR schedule
Identify writing areas you would like more information on
Set and achieve writing goals
Reach your targets and see a way forward
Take action and plan your writing year in full

Otherwise, make sure you’re on my email list here, and when I have space again, you’ll be among the first to know.

Craft

What Is ‘The Sacred Flaw’ In Writing?

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date April 4, 2025

Have you ever heard the term ‘the sacred flaw’ when talking about writing? It’s a common concept and one that is often discussed in writing groups. So, whether or not you have heard of it, let’s chat about what it is and what that phrase means.

‘The sacred flaw’ is a phrase coined by author Will Storr. In its simplest terms, Storr uses it to explain how to build a story as a brain builds a life. He explains that we understand reality by telling ourselves stories. (As a side note, this is the very origin of Creative Writing, the communication of narrative as a way to frame the world around us.)

Storr says: ‘We experience life in three acts, with a crisis, a struggle and resolution.’ (https://theelementsofwriting.com/storr/)

Storr goes on to explain an idea I wrote to you about weeks ago: the difference between character-driven stories and plot-driven stories. When writing a character-driven story, you begin with the character. Storr recommends doing the same to find ‘the sacred flaw’ of your story and then creating the plot around that character to ‘test’ that flaw. Essentially, we are trying to find your character’s ‘flawed idea about the world’ (Storr).

Here are some questions to help you discover a belief that your character finds ‘sacred’ (if you’re struggling to think of what this might mean, let’s use one of my favourite examples, Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. Scrooge mistakenly believes that money and wealth are sacred. The plot tests this mistaken theory throughout, ultimately giving him a different belief system by the end, where the very meaning of ‘wealth’ changes):

What experience might have given your character their belief? (For Scrooge, it was his childhood.)
How does this cause them to view the world? (Think storyview [how your character sees the world] vs worldview [how the world really is].)
How will you create a plot and series of events that challenge this belief, this ‘sacred flaw’?

At the heart of this concept is an understanding that the story is about the character’s journey and change.

So, now we know what ‘the sacred flaw’ means and how to find it. Tell me, what is your character’s ‘sacred flaw’?

Found this interesting and want to read more about this concept? Check out:

In Conversation with Will Storr

Tags author advice, characterisation, creative writing, dialogue tips, editing, fiction writing, narrative voice, plot development, prose style, sacred flaw, Storytelling, the sacred flaw, worldbuilding, writing, writing prompts, writing tips

Coaching

Five Things I Won’t Do as Your Editor and Coach

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date March 22, 2025

As an editor and writing coach, I’ve spoken at length about how I can help you. But there are things I won’t do, too. Let’s dig into them:

1: Force you to follow ‘the rules’ of writing a novel. I know the rules (after all, I studied them for eight years in higher education) and know that great things can happen when you break them. I will tell you the rule, give you the reasoning behind it, and let you know what I think is the right way forward, but ultimately, I will support whatever decision you make from there on out. The Promise, by Damon Galgut, breaks a heck of a lot of rules. It went on to win the Booker Prize in 2021. Writing is art, and sometimes art breaks the rules.

2: Use my experience to guide your journey. A coach is trained to facilitate growth in a niche area, and in my case, this is writing. Coaching is 80% client and 20% coach, meaning that a trained coach will pull a solution to a problem from your mind instead of their own. Why does this matter? Everyone has different backgrounds, levels of responsibility and pressure, working hours, etc. My writing journey has nothing to do with yours, and while I will share my experience if you ask, I will never expect you to do as I have done. There is a difference between a coach and a mentor. A mentor is someone who will share a personal experience and journey to help guide you in a similar one. A coach is someone who is trained to facilitate your own journey, using their knowledge to assist but not drive. A mentor does not need a qualification, but a coach does. Coaching is often believed to be an unregulated field. However, this is not the case. Coaching is regulated worldwide by the International Coaching Federation, so when looking for a coach, ensure the ICF accredits their course to confirm they know how to work in their field. I have trained as a coach in an ICF-accredited role and by doing an ILM Level 2 (equivalent to a GCSE, although now I’m showing my age!).

3: Put pressure on you to finish your work within a specific timeframe. Ask any of my clients, and you’ll find I am flexible when working together. There’s a reason for that. Writing, art, creation, and growth are not linear. We cannot expect someone to write a novel within twelve weeks just because that’s a package that has been purchased. If that’s what you want to do, I will work hard alongside you to help you achieve your goal, but if you decide that you need support over an extended period of time, that you need a break, that you would rather meet monthly than weekly, that’s what we will do. Magic happens when people are given space to discover their journey.

4: Change your unique writing voice and style. I edit while ensuring that your voice remains your own, and while I offer constructive feedback on clarity, how to create the best flow, and areas where a rewrite would strengthen the story, your voice is yours, and that’s something no one can copy or change. That means that I’ll also tell you when you’re writing something that doesn’t quite match your usual tone, too, so that we can provide a consistent reading experience across novels.

5: Force you into a ‘one size fits all’ framework. In editing and coaching, I work to ensure that I’m helping the reader in a way that they understand, can collaborate with, and engage with. There is no ‘one way’ to write a novel, and I don’t subscribe to the idea that all stories must fit within a specific structure (see point one!). Writing is a personal process, so whatever your process is, I will adapt to ensure you’re getting the most out of our time together. If you don’t know your process yet, we can explore that.

So, there are five things I will not do as an editor and coach! I’m almost booked for the entire year but have a few spaces left from June onwards. If you want to learn more, book a Discovery Call with me here.

Craft

Plot-Driven Novels vs Character-Driven Novels: Which Is Right For You?

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date February 19, 2025

Do you want to write a plot-driven or a character-driven novel? First of all, it’s time to define those terms (and I’ll add helpful examples because I am a helpful sort of person). An easy way to remember the difference between the two is to ask yourself what is driving the narrative forward.

Plot-Driven

A plot-driven novel means that events are happening to a character, regardless of their actions. A great example of a plot-driven novel is The Lord of the Rings. The one ring needs to get to Mount Doom, and ultimately, it doesn’t matter who takes it; it just has to get there. Therefore, the plot’s focus is getting that ring to Mount Doom. The characters, relationships, journey, and, essentially, subplots are what make the story beautiful, but ultimately, what is driving the narrative forward is that main plot point.

Character-Driven

A character-driven novel means that a character’s actions are driving the plot. How they behave and what they do impacts the story’s direction. A great example of a character-driven novel is The Finery, by me! This is a character-driven novel because the plot depends on the actions of the main character, Wendowleen, and the actions of her peers.

What do you want to write?

If you’re unsure whether you want to write a character or plot-driven novel, look at your favourite books. You might find that some authors do both very well, like Terry Pratchett. The Discworld novels are a mix, and Pratchett is a master of keeping the plot moving while developing characters in an interesting way. What you love reading is usually what you will love writing, so pick up one of your favourite reads and ask yourself: What is driving the narrative in this story?

Remember, a well-rounded story often incorporates elements of both plot and character development. For example, if your character is facing a natural disaster, that’s a plot point they cannot control, but it depends on their behaviour and skillset to survive. If character development interests you, you might want to write a character-driven story instead so that you can dig deep into the growth of your MC.

Do you have any questions about this? Feel free to send me an email today!

Do you want to read something similar? Check these out:

Which Is the Best Plotting Method for You?

How to Write Subplots in Your Novel

Coaching

“Why Would I Need a Writing Coach?”

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date January 22, 2025

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why would I need a writing coach?”

If so, here are some possible reasons.

1) Having space held for you can change everything.

It’s not every day that you can expect someone to give you their full attention, and that’s fair enough. But when they do, amazing things can happen. Coaching is a wonderful experience, and it’s partly because of this. Having someone hold that space for you, listen to what you are saying without interruption, and ask the right questions can help you reveal solutions you didn’t even realise existed. A coach listens to your words without judgment in a safe space. This alone has helped me become a better, happier, and more fulfilled person.

2) Coaching can build on success, not just solve problems.

Did you know that coaching isn’t just for specific problems? Nope, coaching also builds on success. For example, you don’t have to be struggling with a writing routine or draft to hire a writing coach; you can also be having the most prolific writing period of your life and want it to continue. You could be finding yourself motivated every day to create and want to investigate the set of circumstances that led you there so that you can keep being your best self.

Coaching to build on success is a great way to invest in yourself. It’s saying, ‘Hey, things are going great, and long may they continue. In fact, I’ll make sure they do.’

I continue to invest in a coaching programme because I want to continue building on my success.

3) Having someone rooting for you can hold you accountable.

It’s not the deadlines a coach gives that hold me accountable; it’s the fact that they are rooting for me personally. Coaching is a professional relationship with a difference—you have someone on your team who believes in you and your progress. The thought of sharing my achieved tasks with my coach makes me happy because I’m excited to move forward with them in our next session, not because I’m afraid of missing a deadline.

4) Positive change starts with you.

Depending on what you opt for, you only have a coach for an hour or so a week or even a month. Outside of this time, it’s down to the client to make what has been discussed work for them. I spend a good few hours a week working on my action points and planning for my coaching sessions. Whatever it is, I make sure that I take responsibility for that positive change in my life outside of my coaching sessions. Coaching gives me the action points to work from, but the action comes from me.

5) Investing in yourself is about much more than money.

When you give yourself the opportunity of time, education, and accountability, investing in yourself becomes about more than money. It becomes about believing in yourself and setting yourself up for success. I made a private video around four years ago. It was me talking to my new coach about where I currently was in my business, life, and expectations. She was the one who told me to make it because it would be interesting to look back on later. Well, four years later, I’ve just watched it! It was amazing to see the growth of those years. I know that coaching helped me get there, and I am so grateful for that reminder of how far I have come.

Have you ever been coached, and if so, what did you learn? I would love to know, so share it with me today! And don’t forget, I open up my Discovery Calls in March!

Publishing

Writing Competitions for 2025

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date January 8, 2025

Why enter competitions?

It helps you get seen and gives you a headstart in building a writing portfolio.

What does it mean to build a writing portfolio?

You might be familiar with this term if you have queried. Often, a publishing house will ask for an example of your portfolio or a ‘writing CV’. So, if you’re writing your debut novel…how do you build a writing portfolio?

Answer: By writing short stories, articles, and poetry and submitting them to anthologies, reviews, competitions, and opportunities. This shows that you are already putting yourself out there and connecting with a readership. This makes you more marketable!

The below are in deadline order. Check the links for the exact dates – bear in mind that some may end soon after the month labelled, so plan ahead.

January

Bournemouth Writing Prize

Retreat West First Chapter Competition

The Encore Award (Prize for Second Novels)

February

Northern Writers’ Awards 2025

Writers’ & Artists’ Short Story Competition 2025

Bath Flash Fiction Award

The Edinburgh Short Story Award

March

Rubery Book Awards

BBC National Short Story Award

The Plough Poetry Prize

The Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2025

April

Dream Quest One Poetry and Writing Contest

Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize

The Oxford New Writing Prize

May

Flash Fiction Birdport Prize

Bath Novel Award 2025

Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize

June

Green Stories Adult Novel Competition

Poetry Book Awards

2025 TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Context

July

The Cheshire Novel Prize

Anthology Short Story Competition

North Street Book Prize

August

Book of the Year Awards – The Independent Author Network

Aesthetica Magazine – Creative Writing Award

September

Fischer Prize – Poetry

Anthology Nature Writing Competition

October

The Bedford Writing Competition

Virginia Prize for Fiction

November

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Bath Novella-in-Flash Award

December

The Reedsy Prompts Contest

The Lascaux Review Prize in Short Fiction

Do you want to talk about what you can enter or what to write? Get in touch today!

Note: It is up to the entering author to check any and all competitions before they enter, and to read the terms and conditions.

Tags ballad contest, children's writing contest, creative non-fiction contest, crime writing contest, essay contest, experimental poetry contest, fantasy writing contest, flash fiction contest, free verse contest, haiku contest, historical fiction contest, horror writing contest, limerick contest, literary fiction contest, love poetry contest, memoir contest, nature poetry contest, non-fiction writing contest, novel writing contest, personal essay contest, poetry competition, poetry slam, political poetry contest, rhyming poetry contest, romance writing contest, science fiction writing contest, screenwriting competition, short story contest, sonnet contest, spiritual poetry contest, spoken word competition, thriller writing contest, travel writing contest, writing comp, Writing competition, writing competitions, writing competitions 2025, young adult writing contest

Craft

What Does It Mean to Edit for Genre?

Post author By Rachel Grosvenor
Post date November 2, 2024
No Comments on What Does It Mean to Edit for Genre?

Hey writer. When we’re editing, it helps to think about the genre we are writing in. Why? Because your reader sees a genre and comes to your work filled with all sorts of expectations. It can be really fun to subvert reader expecations, so don’t think I’m telling you to stick to genre conventions forever! Instead, use this blog post as a helpful guide for editing for genre to give your readers exactly what they want.

What are genre conventions?

They are the common elements of a story in a specific genre. For example, what pops into your head when someone says high fantasy? You might think of a fictional setting, a quest, magical elements, good vs evil.

Oh! You mean tropes!

Well, not quite, no. You see, there is a difference between genre conventions and tropes. Genre conventions define a genre – if we’re talking high fantasy, we might expect a quest. A trope is a plot device or story element frequently appearing in a genre – but they are not essential to the structure or foundation. A quest within a magical world defines a genre, whereas a trope, like the classic ‘only one bed’ in romance, adds flavour to a narrative. Think of it like a cake – the cake is made up of genre conventions, and the tropes are the toppings – they add spice!

Okay, now we understand what genre conventions are; it’s time to research the conventions of your genre. You can do this in lots of ways, but a great one is to think about your favourite books in that genre. Let’s say you love romance. What conventions from romance do you want to make sure your story has? First of all, it will have to include that genre convention that makes romance what it is – love! Then, you can think about happily ever afters. You’ll want your character to grow and develop – and remember to add some chemistry.

Once you know which genre conventions you will use, consider the pacing. Different genres have different paces (thrillers are fast-paced, which means they use cliffhangers, short, sharp sentences, and high tension to keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the page). If you’re writing a classic romance story, go with a slower pace than an action-packed romance. Again, this means doing a little research. If you want to know more about pacing your writing, check out this blog post here: 3 Ways to Ensure Your Novel is Well Paced

Once you have your pacing figured out, think about your character development. Genre conventions can dictate how your characters develop, too. In romance, the development is often internal, learning to love oneself before they can love another. In fantasy, the development is external, too, with the main character becoming stronger and more capable, learning to fight so that they can save the world. How does your chosen genre dictate your character’s development?

Next, think about your world-building and setting. When editing for genre conventions, consider what you have created carefully. Does your setting fit with the expectations of an urban fantasy? Is there anything you have written that doesn’t feel realistic in the world you are writing about?

Lastly, don’t worry about lack of originality. When paying close attention to genre conventions, it can feel like you’re writing something that has gone before. However, your voice is your own, and your writing is unlike anyone else. While you should be aware of genre conventions and reader expectations, don’t be afraid to blend genres, make different choices, or add unexpected elements. This is your story, after all!

Want to read something similar? Check out these blog posts:

Which Is the Best Plotting Method for You?

3 Steps to Your Writing Management Plan