Hello there! So you've finished the first part of my blog series about writing a book. Great. Let's start on part 2 then. But as I mentioned in part one, research keeps going throughout the whole writing process - including character development. After all, you might not have a clear idea of all the research... Continue Reading →
Want to write a book and don't know where to start? Well, you're in the wrong place! No, but seriously, in this six-part series, I'm going to share some advice I've gleaned over my years as a writer. But, I'm not a writing expert and this is NOT a definitive 'How to write' guide -... Continue Reading →
It's probably the most common saying about writing there is; "good writing is re-writing". Actually writing the story is a large part of the battle, but it's your editing skills that will make the difference between a decent piece of work and an unreadable hotch-potch of words. As part of my day job, I write... Continue Reading →
Hello, followers (and people just browsing). Since around mid-2019, I've aimed to post a new blog once a week, and for the most part, I've succeeded. Sticking to this posting schedule has borne some fruit. In fact if you're on your own blogging journey, consistency really does help! I've got 741 followers (hello!) and I'm... Continue Reading →
There's no fool-proof formula to being a successful writer (no matter what anyone says) - and of course, "success" differs for everyone anyway. I often post advice and tips about writing on this blog, but these are never must-dos - they're suggestions to try out. That's what advice is meant to be. That being said,... Continue Reading →
Writing spot ExpectationReality"I'll have a room just for me, full of books, with a desk and a view, maybe an armchair...""I have a laptop, a smidge of clear space on the sofa, and ten minutes - let's do this." Research ExpectationReality"I'll put together a comprehensive list of things to research and wiz through it, no... Continue Reading →
Hidden away in the Cairngorms, lies the Burn O'Vat, an ancient place once used by the notorious outlaw known as "Gilderoy". Found in the Muir of Dinnet National Natural Reserve, this wonder of geology is only a short walk from the closest car park but does require a bit of a scramble to actually get... Continue Reading →
Spring has sprung and traditionally this is the time of year when we get ourselves sorted - or at least try to. Yes, we get busy putting our houses, flats, vans etc, in order. A spring clean is about getting rid of old stuff, uncovering things we usually ignore, and starting afresh after hunkering down... Continue Reading →
I love my laptop - I'm writing this blog post on it. I can certainly type fast, so for the most part it makes sense for me to write straight into it. But, there's something to be said about writing on something other than a digital device. And by that, I mean in a notebook... Continue Reading →
We all want to write - right? But our brains have other ideas. We're surrounded by so many things all jumping for our attention - work, kids, family - and then TV, books, and oh so many apps. So how do you focus on your writing? Well here are seven tips to try out. 1)... Continue Reading →
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