Terry (or indeed anyone else) have you come across John Gardener's concept of psychic distance? It's incredibly useful, and I'm always surprised that it's not in every how-to-write book in the land.

I stuck a piece on my blog about it, here:

http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/psychic-distance-what-it-is-and-how-to-use-it.html

Emma

Hi

I've sent off for the book. The 'young writers' title worried me - but I can pretend to be young

Sharley

The 'young writers' title worried me

Yes, very irritating - he shouldn't say "young" when he means "starting out regardless of age". (I have a related quarrel with writing prizes for adults which have an upper age limit). But a good book, nonetheless, though eminently quarrellable-with on various grounds.

Emma

But a good book, nonetheless, though eminently quarrellable-with on various grounds.

I hope I pick up the sensible bits!

I didn't go for the book at first, as I assumed 'young' meant age, rather than beginner.

Sharley