Monday was one of those nail-biting days. An email arrived with the first thoughts from my editor. She’s quite a big deal name in commercial fiction, so I’d been ready for a mauling. I expected her to brand my efforts as a mismatched jumble of bad ideas and inept delivery. Thankfully the broadside was gentle, […]
Notes from my editor Read More »
Nobody likes writing a synopsis. How about if I told you it could actually help you create a better book?
The pure hell of writing a synopsis Read More »
What happens when you decide to change the personality of a supporting character midway through writing?
When leopards change their spots Read More »
When is the right time to reveal that your comedy has a romantic twist? When is it too soon and how do you avoid the cliches?
Putting the rom into com Read More »
How practical is it to write a novel in the first person. How do you avoid ‘head hopping’?
It’s all about me – writing in the first person Read More »
Some words should be an automatic red flag to a writer. The second you find yourself typing, writing or otherwise using them, a voice inside ought to scream stop. Here are five that I watch out for. Search your works in progress and eliminate at will.
Writing Tip #2 – Five red flags for writers Read More »
All too often the temptation when writing is there to have a character do something other than simply ‘say’ their words. It’s a topic to which I’ll return later, but there is certainly some scope to use a few more descriptive words (such as whisper, mutter or whine) now and then. Just don’t go overboard.
Writing Tip #1 – Pump up the volume Read More »
Writers’ block. Everyone I know who writes – or tries to write – hits it some time. You sit down ready to spew a whole load of graceful prose at the page and nothing comes. Or worse, something comes but what you write is pure and unadulterated rubbish.
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