Okay, let’s do this one. Follow #TenThingsAboutFindingYourVoice to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/jmc_lord/status/1662786264733458437

1. Every writer has a voice. Behind any character voices you might create, there’s your voice, which is unique to you, indelible as your fingerprint. #TenThingsAboutFindingYourVoice

Sunday lunchtime; time to kill. You know what that means, Twitter: #Storytime. New folk, to explain: #Storytime, in which I write a story from scratch, live and uncensored, on Twitter. And it always starts like this: "There is a story the bees used to tell, which makes it hard to disbelieve."

Let's do this one today. Follow #TenThingsAboutChoosingACharacterName to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/Alan_J_Nash/status/1626552992865329152

1. Character names can be at least as important as book titles. It's the thing that shapes the identity of your protagonist, reflects their culture, their age, their background. And as such, it's worth giving plenty of thought to. #TenThingsAboutChoosingACharacterName

Okay, so I’ve been talking to a lot of people who are discouraged with writing and the industry right now. I get it: it’s not a great time for authors. So let’s make today’s #TenTweets about WHY WE KEEP GOING. Follow the hashtag to collect them all! #TenReasonsToKeepWriting 1. Because writing isn’t just about making money (though it’s nice when that happens). It’s also good for your mental health. And it’s cheaper than therapy. #TenReasonsToKeepWriting

This one's really interesting, and we haven't looked at it before. Let's try it. Follow #FlawedHeroes to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/GandorgPrime/status/1616789639938834432

1. The original prompt was about the hero's descent into villainy. I'm not sure a hero ever really becomes a villain as such, because those roles are so clearly defined and in opposition to each other, but the Hero's Descent is certainly a Thing. #FlawedHeroes

I like this one. Let's try it, with a little expansion. Follow #TenWaysToExpressFeelings to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/MichelleMMcGr/status/1592873383724998657

1. Depicting a character's feelings in fiction - be it grief, or anger, or happiness - can be a minefield of clichés. I mean, how often can you say: "She smiled", or "His eyes filled with tears"? #TenWaysToExpressFeelings

Okay, let's do this one today.Follow #TenWaysToWriteRoundedCharacters to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/aftabgujral/status/1592150476384243714

1. Broadly speaking, there are two types of character in fiction: flat and round. Flat characters exist to serve the plot, and we generally don't need to know much about them. Round characters are more developed, and tend to be your main players. #TenWaysToWriteRoundedCharacters

Cup of tea; time to kill. You know what that means; #Storytime. There is a story the bees used to tell, which makes it hard to disbelieve. #Storytime

Sunday lunchtime; cup of tea. You know what that means, Twitter. #Storytime. New followers, to explain; #storytime. In which I write a story from scratch, live and unprepared, on Twitter. And it always starts like this: "There is a story the bees used to tell, which makes it hard to disbelieve..."

Reminder to anyone who needs it today: the 50s weren't a golden age, and the people who tell you it was aren't remotely on your side. The advertising of a time is a direct line into its dreams and desires. Here we see white men in charge; white women subservient, and POC and LGBT people, not at all. Some men never gave up this dream. This is the world they want for us.

Let's do something about TENSES. It may be almost as polarising as my hardline jam-before-cream stance, but it might be fun. Follow #TenThingsAboutNarrativeTenses to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/HokusBloke/status/1560534071012315136

1. First off, remember that there are no inflexible rules. There's what you like, and what works for you, and what keeps the reader fully engaged. If what you do achieves what you need, then you're doing fine, and you need not worry. #TenThingsAboutNarrativeTenses

I'm not going to waste my time responding to all the unfounded accusations I'm getting today. Just this one, which I believe to be the most important (and potentially actionable.) So listen up, and if you're good, I might send you a picture of my son's excellent cat. Basically, I have been accused of abusing my position as Chair of the @Soc_of_Authors to discriminate between gender critical people and trans allies. That is a very serious and damaging allegation. And it's not only false, but it's based on a complete ignorance of my role.

A lot of people have been talking nonsense about this, thanks to Kathleen Stock. Let's get a couple of things clear. I "declared" this at my son's suggestion, because people on here were already whispering about him, trying to put pressure on me. I've known he was trans for awhile, but he came out publicly on June 1st, which is why I haven't mentioned it before. He's a million times braver, better and wiser than anyone on that nasty little thread. Anyone using him to attack me is utterly and forever beneath contempt.

This seems like a good one for today. Follow the hashtag to collect them all! #TenWaysToFindInspiration

https://twitter.com/ConFoz/status/1559500490160934912

1. First off, don't assume that "inspiration" as it's presented in the media is always necessary for you to write. You don't necessarily need a great revelatory flash - sometimes, just the act of writing provides its own momentum. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

So today I made the Times. The article is paywalled, but from what I can see, it is felt that as Chair of the @Soc_of_Authors, I am not offering enough aid to gender-critical women who feel threatened for their beliefs. I can't believe I have to say this again, but here goes. First, I've always said loud and clear that I condemn threats of any kind, to anyone. That goes for people whose views I disagree with as well as those whose views I share. Free speech is for everyone, and when one person loses it, we're all at risk.

I'm not sure how well I can do this one, but I'll certainly give it a try. I guess I'll just riff on the idea for awhile, and see what comes. Follow #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/purserhallard/status/1559141912455569409

1. There are many different ways and reasons for writing animal characters. So first, consider why you're writing an animal, rather than a human being. What role do they play? What purpose do they serve? #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

So. It seems I made the Mail today. I have nothing but contempt for the piece, and for those behind it, but if you've seen it, a couple of things.
1. My poll on death threats to authors had nothing to do with JK Rowling. I don't hate or envy her, and have never implied I did. 2. I am wholly against threats of any kind, to anyone, regardless of their politics, opinions or views. That includes JK Rowling, or anyone whose opinions I might sometimes disagree with. You'd think I wouldn't have to say this, but like I said, it's the Mail.

Since the terrible attack on Salman Rushdie, a lot of writers have talked about feeling anxious and afraid. I've been searching for ways to talk about this that don't detract from the gravity of the attack on him, which followed decades of all-too credible threats. But here goes. As authors, we are all open to potential threat from readers. Fortunately, Salman Rushdie is an extreme case, but ideas and stories are powerful, and those who create them are sometimes unaware of their effects on the reader.

Let's do this one. Follow #TenThingsAboutTensionManagement to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/AshaHick/status/1558468364049203204

1. Constructing a tight plot is a bit like flying a kite: it's mostly about the correct management of tension. #TenThingsAboutTensionManagement

Good idea! Follow #TenThingsAboutDebuts to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/MeganHallAuthor/status/1558091779810918400

1. Anyone looking at publishing right now might be forgiven in thinking that they're OBSESSED with debuts. Well, yes and no. #TenThingsAboutDebuts

Lots of people talking about university courses today, and what they "lead to." Truth is, no-one can know what an academic course leads to. It depends on the person's experience, and the opportunities for personal growth and meeting people that being on the course may give them. A lot of academic courses don't seem to lead to specific jobs. But that doesn't mean that what they teach has no value. Creativity; articulacy; empathy; critical thinking; increased literacy; all these things are essential, not just in work, but in life.