Write down the rabbit hole…
My New Year's Resolution was to write and publish a second book - and I did. I'll allow myself a little bit of pride in that (but not too much because I'm a writer and I'm British). I've now published two books in two years - so what did I learn? 1. Decide why you want… Continue reading 4 Things I Learned Self-Publishing Two E-books in Two Years
Wells is the smallest city in the UK. Its status as a city dates from medieval times, and depends on its stunning cathedral complex. It's been a filming location for a number of productions including 'Poldark', 'Dunkirk' and 'Hot Fuzz' - the high street and market place are immediately recognisable from the climactic shoot-out scene.… Continue reading Around Wells Cathedral and The Chained Library
People often say that words aren't dangerous. But writers know better than that. We understand the power that words have. When we wield them we are all aware how we're casting lightening stolen from the Gods. Events in the world prove just how fickle words are. Assaulted by 'fake news', 'alternative facts' and 'post-truth' a… Continue reading Why your writing is important
Monk's House was once the home of Virginia and Leonard Woolf. Today it's owned by the National Trust and the unassuming 18th century cottage with a beautiful big garden and orchard is a world away from the grand buildings it's known for. Virginia's writing shed can be found in the orchard, and she resides here… Continue reading Visiting Virginia Woolf – A Trip to Monk’s House
The real world rushed into focus recently in the worst way possible. It's why I've been so quiet on here. It was a full-on bolt from the blue and it's sent everything I knew spinning. We write to escape reality. Perhaps this is most true if you write fiction, but even those whose work is… Continue reading In Real Life
Write I mean! On trains and buses, boats and rooftops, beaches, balconies and the bottom of the sea, we writers will do it anywhere (get your minds out of the gutter please!) I'm sure you know what it's like to have the Muse (or just the need to flex those writing muscles) strike at an… Continue reading Where’s the Oddest place you’ve done it?
For every writing problem you have, there is an answer. Not necessarily an easy answer that involves lamps and Genies but an answer nevertheless. Here are four common roadblocks that stop you from writing - and four ways to steamroll them flat. 1) I don't have time to write When I was younger, there was a… Continue reading 4 Roadblocks to your Writing – And 4 ways to Steamroll them!
You write so that when you fall, your descent will be arrested, by a silver net of words tied in knots onto the walls. And you ask, are they strong enough, tough enough, tall enough, what if they just break so that you crash into the floor? So you write and on you tie them… Continue reading An Explanation of the Continuous Necessity
I grew up surrounded by fantasy and sci-fi. Maybe that's why it's what I love to write now. Bedtime stories were The Hobbit, Wind in the Willows, Roald Dahl. Daytime video viewing was Star Wars, Willow, Labyrinth and all the Disney films. It's still seen as odd if you're into fantasy and happen to be… Continue reading Raised in the fantasy way
It's all over. Both the year and my book. Completing the book has been my biggest achievement and one I didn't expect to happen. When I looked back at my New Years postfrom January 2015, I was surprised to find I'd gone beyond what I thought I could do. I completed the 2nd edit on… Continue reading New Year Musings
