Writers Are the Best People Ever

Really and truly, writers are the most wonderful people. They are bold, courageous, interesting, curious, sensitive and caring.  And I love hanging out with them! Tuesday night’s Making a Scene Zoom Craft Clinic reminded me why I love being with and working with writers. It’s so good to hang out with people who care about people, who care about writing and reading and what that means to people.

The Making a Scene session was packed with info (really hope I didn’t overload but feedback reveals everyone merrily tracked along with me), and it was incredibly satisfying to give writers a practical tool that they can always return to when writing an important scene.

We also touched on the difference between commercial and literary fiction.

It’s important to understand the distinction between these two at some point in your writing journey. Commercial fiction and literary fiction are two very different beasts. Commercial fiction prioritises pace, momentum, very clear and twisty plots with turning points.Commercial fiction is about hooking your reader, and quickly. Commercial fiction leads with story. In other words, ‘How do I keep the reader turning pages?’

Literary fiction on the other hand, often lingers inside your character. Their interior world, it tends to build beautiful prose around character, atmosphere and the emotional nuance of the story. Literary fiction loves a meaningful theme and is about getting the language exactly right. Language is important, so is voice.

All these descriptions are interchangeable of course. Commercial fiction can on occasion sound literary and in moments literary can appear commercial. But in writing (and publishing!) there is a very clear marking out between the two. 

The biggest difference is money. Lol! Commercial fiction, especially commercial women’s fiction, commands a higher advance than literary and is likely to sell more. Subsequently, with commercial women’s fiction you’re more likely to get a publishing deal. Women’s Book Club sales are enormously important for publishers.

Neither commercial nor literary is better. But knowing the difference helps you understand which one you are writing and could help you deliberately set your tone.

So next up for the Art of Writing is Memoir on Tuesday, March 17.And this 2 hour Tuesday night Zoom session is still on sale. 

Memoir can feel overwhelming because we are flooded with memory. Childhood. Parents. Love. Failure. Success. Regret.

But the question is not simply, what do I remember?

The question is, does this memory matter to the story I am telling?

And perhaps the deeper question of all, how do I find my story within the thousands of moments I have lived?

On March 17, we will look closely at choosing wisely. At shaping experience into narrative rather than simply recounting events.

If Tuesday night was about staying in the now, Memoir will be about deciding which moments deserve that now.

On March 17, Memory into Memoir.

Sydney: 7:00 PM (AEDT)
Brisbane: 6:00 PM (AEST)
Adelaide: 6:30 PM (ACDT)
London: 8:00 AM (GMT)
Central Europe: 9:00 AM (CET)

Rome, that’s you at 9:00 AM! Civilized, espresso-ready time.

On April 14, The Major Dramatic Question (trying to get your readers to stop wandering off to make tea.)

May 12, Character and Conflict

The Sydney Story Workshop runs for 3 days in August. It’s 3 days of deep learning and deep thinking and deep talking and deep writing and deep listening. Yeah, all very deep. Running Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August 2026 at Woollahra Library, Double Bay, The Art of Writing: Sydney Story Workshop. Seven masterclasses. Five extraordinary teachers. A literary agent Q&A with the chance to present your précis. Lunch included because thinking is hungry work. As well as a panel of professionals on ways to make money while you write your best seller.

If you are new to The Art of Writing, here is the short version. We are a global writing community obsessed with helping you write good work.

Places are limited. Book your place now or write to us about a payment plan to secure your spot.

Then there’s Rome too. Super special. Two places left!

Timeless Craft
Rome
8 to 12 November 2026

Seven participants only. Four days of focused teaching in the heart of Rome. Writing walks. Guided tour. Welcome drinks. Opening and closing dinners. Conversations that matter. Especially with Anya Camilleri, international screenwriter and TV/Film Director who will discuss taking our work from page to screen.

If you are considering joining us in Sydney or Rome, or just want to find out more about what The Art of Writing is all about, write to me for the full Sydney or Rome program before they disappear. Clifford.lisa@hotmail.com