Five must-dos for every writer

Begin by looking at old photos. Make a list of memories, especially noting those that stand out, still frighten, annoy or make you laugh. Write about your grandparents, siblings, cousins, classmates and friends. Write about rituals, holidays, landmark events and family vacations. Recall family stories, legends and anecdotes. Ask your elderly relatives about the family history. Reread the books that you read as a child.

5. Live a little: There seems to be too much emphasis on what we must give up by writing - because obviously all our distractions, hobbies and time-wasting idleness will be changed if we take up writing. But writing is not about retreating or withdrawal. True, there will be many hours spent alone wrestling with words and ideas. But writers need to take in experiences and sensations so they can transmit them back to their readers. Writers need to fall in love, with words, with partners, with children. Writers need to garden and dance and sing. Writers need to invite friends over for dinner, check out the latest film, go to the theatre, ballet and concerts, visit museums, clubs and bars.

In other words, for goodness sake, live a little. Or better yet, live a lot. If you never fall in love, how can you write about a lovers' spat, or reconciliation, or the annoying habits of your beloved? If you lock yourself away, what will you write about?