They say a writer should write what they know. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say this and it seems to be the most common piece of advice offered to all aspiring writers. But what does it mean? And does it help you become a better writer? For a long time … Continue reading Like looking in a mirror?
Category: Writing
When life gets in the way…
Have you ever felt like the universe is doing it's damnedest to prevent you from enjoying the things you most want to spend time on? Ever tried to get on with your to-do list and have a million things dumped in your lap that needed sorting yesterday? Ever felt so sure your body is going … Continue reading When life gets in the way…
Perfection in the making!
As days go, yesterday was a winner! Let me tell you why... I reached my first goal of 10K written words about a month ago. 10% of my novel was written! I felt good. Really good! I sent it off to my 2 alpha readers and got some amazing feedback. Then somewhere in the last … Continue reading Perfection in the making!
The Puuuurfect Pet?
Have you ever fallen hopelessly in love with a literary pet and wished they were yours? I have! Countless times! Nearly every one of my favourite books has had a pet character and for me they have been as important to the story as any of their human counterparts. During the process of plotting out … Continue reading The Puuuurfect Pet?
When are you at your most creative?
Yesterday I was driving through a slush storm to pick my kids up from school. The temperature was yo-yoing just around freezing and the sky was dark grey, a heavy mass of clouds that couldn't make up their mind if they wanted to pelt us with rain or bury us in snow. Hence the slush. … Continue reading When are you at your most creative?
What’s in a name?
"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Shakespeare's famous line from Romeo & Juliet should by all accounts be a golden rule of thumb - and far be it from me to argue with a master! However, I find myself wondering if the sentiment applies to character names? … Continue reading What’s in a name?
Getting the feedback you need…
Having tentatively taken my first steps along the road of writing a novel, it has occurred to me to wonder - is what I'm writing any good??? Should I even bother spending hours and hours on something that may just be "meh"? I noticed last week that, having written my first scenes, I was quite … Continue reading Getting the feedback you need…
“Where words fail…
... Music speaks!" Hans Christian Andersen said that and I would imagine he knew what he was talking about! Today I find myself staring out of the window at a clear, blue and beautiful winter sky, thinking over the scenes of my story. I can "see" my characters, "hear" their words and "feel" their emotions, but … Continue reading “Where words fail…
The journey begins…
Ever since my Dad first read Matilda to me when I was five years old - doing all the voices of course - I've been in love with books! But, never in a million years did I imagine I would some day be writing one myself! It's a bit daunting and I've been second guessing … Continue reading The journey begins…