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5 things I learned from my unpublished ‘drawer novel’
Like most writers, I have a ‘novel in a drawer’; an unpublished masterpiece (lol no) that I think about every … Read More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
The most important advice I can give to fellow writers
“What’s it like to see your book in print?” is a question I’ve been asked a lot recently and the … Read More
Don’t give ’em a reason to stop reading – Things I learned while writing Dead Ringer
One of my favourite pieces of feedback I’ve got on Dead Ringer is: “I stayed up past my bedtime reading … Read More
Should writers be sweating the adverb?
I recently read a prominent author’s top three writing tips and one of them was that old chestnut, “don’t use … Read More
Why do mediocre novels get published? My theory (and what writers can learn from it)
There’s little more frustrating than picking up a book and realising it’s BAY-AD. The characters are cardboard cut-outs. The action … Read More