Oh wow, I’m so pleased to report two lovely sites have reviewed my novels. As an indie author it is so difficult to get your work reviewed, as there is so much competition, and bloggers and reviewers are overwhelmed with submissions, but it just lifts …
Read MoreAlpha Readers
I’ve found a group of wonderful friends willing to read my latest draft of tEXt me, in addition to comments from some of the fantastic #WritingCommunity on Twitter, and it’s both exciting and terrifying. I want a range of opinions of course, and actively seek …
Read MorePhilosophy of Agency
There’s an ongoing debate in Twitterland and Writerland (they share a sea border) about the necessity or value of an agent. For me, the answer is a no-brainer, if they’re a good agent then hell, yes. From all I read and know, they seem to …
Read MoreSweet F’ing Caroline
Fate can be a bitch. And some things just can’t be foreseen. In my new novel, there is a song which plays an important role in the plot, as being a sepcial one sung between daughter and father before the latter passed away. And you …
Read MoreWriting Process – 11
So things still move on apace. First draft of new novel now complete (about 63k words), and the title has evolved into ‘tEXt me’, possibly with the subtitle ‘with a Nokia 3310’, but possibly not. I’ll decide soon and can start work with a designer …
Read MoreMichelle Magorian – Goodnight Mr Tom
A very short ‘Influences’ piece here, as the book in question didn’t influence my writing so much as my love of reading. It was back when I was at primary school, and we’d just received it, newly published, into the School library (the memories come …
Read MoreEmojis and Eggplants
In my new book, which is going to be available as an e-book and as a paperback, I have a challenge. There are a lot of text messages in the book, and a key plotpoint is the use of the rather rude emoji 🍆. My …
Read MoreSocial Media – My author journey
There are so many websites and blogs for aspiring writers, and that is great, but meant I was reading dozens of conflicting opinions when the true answer to “How do you use Social media effectively as a new writer” is “It depends”. Part of the …
Read MoreThe Raven Sound – Cover
During December and January I wandered around all of the locations in my new novel, and took dozens or photographs which I thought might make a useful image for the cover. As I type I’m still deciding which was the best fit, but I found …
Read MoreWriting Process -10
So I’m delighted to report that I finished the first draft of the new novel today. It’s very rough in places, needs a lot of work but at 60,000 words it’s a good length for a first draft. I know there will be significant parts …
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