Writers desk Copyrighted imageCredit: BBC

Want to write? Or want to write better?

Try our collection of tips and tasks to polish your ideas.

Writing tips: Write what you want to read Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on becoming a writer: write what you want to read, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Write what you want to read

Writing tips: Read what you want to write Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on becoming a writer: read what you want to write, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Read what you want to write

Writing tips: Write about what you know Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on becoming a writer: write about what you know, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Write about what you know

Writing tips: The inspiration file Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on finding sources of inspiration for writing, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: The inspiration file

Writing tips: Plot finder Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on getting ideas for a plot, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Plot finder

Writing tips: The daily routine Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on making writing part of your daily routine, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: The daily routine

Writing tips: Introducing your characters Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

A writing exercise to help bring life to your characters, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Introducing your characters

Writing tips: Dialogue Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on how to make dialogue sound right, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Dialogue

Writing tips: Editing Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on editing your work, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Editing

Writing tips: Unwriting Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on writing and 'unwriting', part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Unwriting

Writing tips: Rewriting Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on writing and rewriting, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Rewriting

Writing tips: The daily grind Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on writing daily, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: The daily grind

Writing tips: Deep structure Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on writing - the structure of your story - part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Deep structure

Writing tips: Getting published for the first time Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on getting your work published for the first time, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Getting published for the first time

Writing tips: Getting published Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on getting your work published, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Getting published

Writing tips: Vanity publishing vs self-publishing Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Different routes to getting your work published, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Vanity publishing vs self-publishing

Writing tips: Rhyme for a reason Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on using rhyme in poetry, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Rhyme for a reason

Writing tips: RIO (Research, Imagination, Observation) Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on writing about scenarios outside your own experience, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: RIO (Research, Imagination, Observation)

Writing tips: Working together Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images

Advice on the best way to get constructive criticism - joining a writers' group - part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab  Read more : Writing tips: Working together