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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
You writeso that when you fall,your descent will be arrested,by a silver net of wordstied in knotsonto the walls. And you ask,are they strong enough,tough enough, tall enough,what if they just breakso that you crash intothe floor? So you writeand on you tie themknots with bowsand knots with snarls,knots with no one else around them,knots... Continue Reading →
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 →
Well, I had to didn't I? The final Discworld novel. After this, there will be no more. I knew this day would come eventually, but it shouldn't have come so damn soon. I've started reading it and it's just as good as I expected albeit tinged with bittersweetness in every word. One day I shall... Continue Reading →
After many machinations, alterations, deletions, frustrations and other things ending with -tion I have finally finished The Book. I have bits of this book on my computer that date back to 2011 - yikes! All 29 chapters now stand before me, hovering somewhere between novella and novel (I haven't done a word count yet as... Continue Reading →
Conversation between my boyfriend and I: 'Have you backed up your writing recently?' 'No actually. Very sweet of you to remind me.' 'Well, I just don't fancy dealing with you if you lost it.' Er, thanks. But seriously, backing up your work is vital if you write on any kind of electronic device be it... Continue Reading →
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