I was a terrible painter - my portraits looked like the evil chimera love-children of Picasso's demoiselles and the BBC test card clown. Sarah Hall bbccardchild Change image and share on social
There was a lot of fiction I did not enjoy, whose landscapes seemed bland and unevocative, the characters faint-hearted within them, the very words lacking vibrancy. Sarah Hall blandcharacterenjoy Change image and share on social
Writers cannot simply have a go, imagining it's easier to produce a story than a novel because fewer words are required. Have a go by all means; be intrepid, but be equipped. Sarah Hall easyequipfew Change image and share on social
Having judged a few competitions, it's clear that novelists are often the laziest short story writers. Sarah Hall clearcompetitionjudge Change image and share on social
I was the feral, mud-bathing, tree-climbing variety of child. Why would I want to read about pirates when I could build a raft and terrorise sheep along the riverbanks? Sarah Hall bthebuildchild Change image and share on social
Show, don't tell, is a mantra repeated by tutors of creative writing courses the world over. As advice for amateurs, it is sound and helps avoid character profiling, unactivated scenes, and broken narrative frames. Sarah Hall adviceamateuravoid share on social
I used to dislike bookshops immensely as a child and was won over only later in life. Sarah Hall bookshopchilddislike Change image and share on social
Art history became an A-level option at my school the year I started sixth form. This happened because another student and I cajoled and bullied the head of the art department into arranging it with the examination board. Sarah Hall arrangeartboard share on social
I wander around the house and write in bed, at the kitchen table, by the window, in the yard. Sarah Hall bedhousekitchen Change image and share on social
I don't reckon there are many writers who start out really expecting writing to be an attainable occupation. Well, I didn't. It was a pipe dream. Sarah Hall attainabledreamexpect Change image and share on social
