Getting creative and tackling writer’s block

Editorial Skills for Charities Workshop

26 January 2012

www.charitycomms.org.uk

Getting creative and tackling

writer’s block

‘A lot of howling nonsense would

be avoided if, in every sentence

containing the word WRITER, that

word was taken out and the word

PLUMBER substituted; and the

result examined for the sense it

makes.’ Philip Pullman

1. Look to get involved in more than writing

‘A copywriter who is just a copywriter

is not a copywriter.’

Direct Mail (Macmillan Cancer Support)

Newsletter (Lewisham Council)

Fundraising campaign materials (VSO)

Exhibition (Royal Albert Hall)

Direct Mail (Concern Worldwide)

Website (Pathways)

2. Expect to find ideas in the brief

Jennifer Kamara, 27, is no ordinary

entrepreneur. Kidnapped by

soldiers at the age of 18, she was

raped and beaten by her captors

and threatened with death if she

tried to escape. Her mother was

told she would never see her

daughter again.

3. Don’t start writing too soon

4. Think with drawings

5. Change location

6. Do read about copywriting

The Copywriter’s Handbook, Robert W Bly

How to Write Sales Letters that Sell,

Drayton Bird

More Words that Sell, Richard Bayan

1 Look to get involved in more than writing

2 Expect to find ideas in the brief

3 Don’t start writing too soon

4 Think with drawings

5 Change location for a fresh perspective

6 Do read about copywriting