Dead Ringer wins fiction prize at Lakeland Book of the Year Awards
|
I bumbled up to Penrith last month for the 2021 Lakeland Book of the Year Awards, the very picture of … Read More
5 things I learned about writing from Succession
|
Succession isn’t only the most twisted-funny show on TV, it’s also a masterclass in great writing. Here are a few … Read More
Dead Ringer longlisted for Lakeland Book of the Year
|
I’m delighted that my debut novel, Dead Ringer, has been recognised in the 2021 Lakeland Book of the Year longlist. … Read More
How overcoming my fear of public speaking inspired my short story in this week’s The People’s Friend
|
Two years ago, I would’ve rather taken my chances before a firing squad than got up in front of an … Read More
5 reasons your novel’s main character sucks
|
They’re so smart (allegedly), they’re so charismatic (allegedly), but here are some of the reasons you might have a sucking … Read More
5 things I learned from my unpublished ‘drawer novel’
|
Like most writers, I have a ‘novel in a drawer’; an unpublished masterpiece (lol no) that I think about every … Read More
6 things to know if you want to write a novel this year
|
If your new year’s resolution for 2021 is to write a novel, then you’ve picked a great goal. Writing keeps … Read More
5 writing mistakes that drive me nuts
|
Ever been so annoyed by a book you’ve wanted to throw it across the room? Maybe it’s a character or … Read More
Write the story from the sidekick’s perspective, too – Things I learned while writing Dead Ringer
|
During one particular rewrite of Dead Ringer, I felt like I’d tied myself up in knots. My protagonist was breaking … Read More
One word you should remove from your writing vocabulary
|
You might assume this is a philosophical or motivational blog post, and I’m going to tell you there’s no such … Read More
Revisiting Gone Girl: 5 things writers can learn from it
|
Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl defined and popularised the psychological suspense genre. These days, the crime fiction shelves are packed with … Read More
Let your readers hear your protagonist’s thoughts – Things I learned while writing Dead Ringer
|
Dead Ringer started life as a third-person novel, until my agent suggested I make it first-person. This was a big … Read More
How my new mantra is helping me stay sane (and productive)
|
I’ve recently put in place a simple new motto and it’s amazing what a help it’s been, in terms of … Read More
Why growth mindset is the number one thing you need to become a better writer (and a better person)
|
‘Growth mindset’ might sound like one of those annoying buzzwords, but it describes an attitude shift that has helped me … Read More
Make your protagonist the type of person who jumps into the fray – Things I learned while writing Dead Ringer
|
In life, I’m a risk-averse person. I always weigh up my options and try to act prudently. In novels, I’ve … Read More
5 best books on writing for beginners and beyond
|
Whether you’re starting out in creative writing or looking to fine-tune your writing craft, there are a wealth of reference … Read More