For every writing problem you have, there is an answer. Not necessarily an easy answer that involves lamps and Genies but an answer nevertheless. We've all been there and done that when it comes to writing. So if you're struggling to write, here are four common things that can stop you from writing - and how... Continue Reading →
The Long and Short of It – Don’t Get Hung Up on the Word Count
There are many lengths of fiction out there. Poems can be merely a line, flash fiction and short stories no more than a page. It's unfortunate that in terms of fiction, shorter length works have often been overlooked. An unspoken rule that bigger is better. That weightier tomes must obviously be more meaningful, deeper in... Continue Reading →
7 Tips For Writing Competitions
Writing competitions can be a fun way to hone your writing skills and, if you're lucky, get your work published. Plus they may also come with a financial reward - cha-ching! And whilst there's no magic winning formula I can share, here are a few practical bits of advice about entering. 1) Plan well You... Continue Reading →
My Notebook Collection Is Taking Over The World
Ok, that title's an exaggeration, it's only taking over the floor of my spare bedroom. But my collection has grown considerably since I first put this post up in 2013. Back then it looked like this: And fitted on my dining table. Today it looks like this: And I had to lay it on the... Continue Reading →
The Perfect Gift? How About Your Writing?
Have you ever made a gift of your writing? Perhaps the idea's never crossed your mind. I mean, you love to write and you do it all the time - but give it as a present? But think about it. If you knitted or painted, or crafted jewellery, you'd probably give people the fruits of... Continue Reading →
Visiting Alice Liddells Grave
Any fan of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ will know that its eponymous heroine is based on a real person. Alice Liddell was the fourth child in the Liddell family. They were friends with Charles Dodgson AKA Lewis Carroll and it was on a boating trip that he whipped up the tale of Alice and the White... Continue Reading →
Where’s the Oddest place you’ve done it?
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 →
New Year Musings
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 →
She’ll do Nicely
They say when your senses diminish, other senses become more astute, so your eyes improve if you’re deaf, your ears if you’re blind. I don’t know how truthful that is, but it seems as my body has diminished the strength of my mind has grown. All those books I read are now proving their worth.... Continue Reading →
When was the Last Time you Backed-up your Work?
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 →