This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Social Media

Twitter

Nicola MartinFollow

Author, #DeadRinger | Lover of weird art, sad songs and cute cats | Instagram: nicolamartinwriter

Nicola Martin @nmartinwriter·

Started a new blog series of #writingtips based on things I learned while writing my debut thriller #DeadRinger. First up: the importance of a good writing group. 🤗 https://www.nicolamartin.com/2020/05/joining-a-writing-group-will-save-your-soul-things-i-learned-while-writing-dead-ringer/

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writingadvice

Reply on Twitter 1266741155028484098 Retweet on Twitter 12667411550284840981 Like on Twitter 12667411550284840987 Twitter 1266741155028484098

Instagram

nicolamartinwriter

✍️ Author, #DeadRinger
📚 Reader of crime fiction, YA, and anything thought-provoking
📍 Bristol, UK
—
⇘ Dead Ringer, ebook only £2.49:

Do you prefer literary or commercial novels?⠀
.⠀
I read far more commercial novels, but I have a soft spot for a stunning piece of literary fiction. Jonathan Safran-Foer is one of those writers who makes you see things in a different way. 🌚⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#bookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #whattoreadnext #nosuchthingastoomanybooks #readallthebooks #booksaremagic #bibliofeature #readersgonnaread #allthebooks #booktography #literaryfiction #literary #jonathansafranfoer #everythingisilluminated #bookalicious #thatreadinglife #bookbloggershub #bookthoughts #readingisfundamental #bookcrazy #bookaddiction #bookaddicts #avidreader #beautifulbooks #prettybooks #creativebookphotography #bookishphotography #bookblog #bookblogger

Feral children. This magic moment with my nephews

Feral children. This magic moment with my nephews was seconds before I had to rush in and save the little one from falling out of a tree. Did he learn his lesson? Did he eck. 💚

It’s three months since #DeadRinger was publishe

It’s three months since #DeadRinger was published. 🎊😊 @sarabandbooks⠀
.⠀
To celebrate, here are three of my favourite reviews of the book from bookstagrammers:⠀
.⠀
"Modern, fresh, clever and highly addictive." @kellysloveofbooks⠀
.⠀
"A fascinating, compelling read with twists and turns throughout." @wishfulbooks⠀
‘⠀
"Fast paced, addictive and compelling, this book is a fascinating read." @bookliterati_juliet_butler⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#crimewriter #crimefiction #crimenovel #amreadingthrillers #psychologicalthrillers #psychologicalthriller #thrillerfiction #thrillersofinstagram #thrilleraddict #thrillerbooksaddict #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #instabooks #igreads #lovereading #thereaderslounge #bookobsessed #readingstyles #alwaysreading #fortheloveofbooks #whatiread #readergram #2020reads #booksarebetter #lovethisbook #readingtherapy #bookwormsofinstagram #instareaders

Do you feel like you have enough time to read? ⌚

Do you feel like you have enough time to read? ⌚⠀
.⠀
I'm on furlough, so in theory, I have a ton of time. Except other things always get in the way, don't they? 😶⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#bookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #thepictureofdoriangray #oscarwilde #isolationreads #quarantinereads #quarantineandread #queerlit #booksbooksbooks #readerlife #readerforlife #bookishaesthetic #bookblogging #bookstagramfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookpic #bookishgirl #bookblog #bookblogger #friendswithbookspost #readingstagram #bookstatribe #creativebookstagram #bookishphoto #readinglist2020 #readersunite #booklife #currentlyreading #amreading

Has a book ever inspired you to write in a differe

Has a book ever inspired you to write in a different way?⠀
.⠀
Muriel Spark's The Driver's Seat made me completely obsessed with prolepsis (flashforwards). I've never quite managed to make them work as artfully as she does, though. 🔮😁⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#murielspark #thedriversseat #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #crimewriter #crimefiction #crimenovel #amreadingthrillers #psychologicalthrillers #psychologicalthriller #thrillerfiction #thrillersofinstagram #thrilleraddict #thrillerbooksaddict #debutauthor #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #writersofinsta #writerslife #writinglife #booksofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookgeek #booklove #booklover #bibliophile

Here’s the second Writing Tip I Learned #WhileWr

Here’s the second Writing Tip I Learned #WhileWritingDeadRinger (check the hashtag to collect ‘em all):⠀
.⠀
💎 You’ll have to rearrange your life in order to write a novel⠀
.⠀
If there’s one myth about writing that I hate, it’s the myth that great novels were written in snatched 5-minute bursts.⠀
.⠀
“Get up earlier and write while drinking your morning coffee! Write in your lunch break! If you’re not writing while simultaneously making a risotto and changing a duvet cover, you obviously don’t want it enough!”⠀
.⠀
🙄⠀
.⠀
I’ve snatched time to write for my whole adult life, but I only wrote something worth publishing when I (deep breath) did the opposite to all that write-in-your-lunch-break malarkey.⠀
.⠀
I quit my job.⠀
.⠀
I saved up money, I made a plan, and I decided to do it: give myself time and space to write something.⠀
.⠀
Time. And space.⠀
.⠀
I’ve since gone back to work part-time (boy, having a salary is nice), but I continue to prioritise those two things: time and space.⠀
.⠀
Writing #DeadRinger required long, uninterrupted bouts of concentration. I rearranged my life around those long, interrupted periods. And it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.⠀
.⠀
I know not everyone can quit their job or go part-time, but it’s worth taking a long, hard look at how you can carve out time and space to concentrate on writing. It might mean giving up a time-consuming hobby, or skipping the Friday night pub (virtual or otherwise).⠀
.⠀
Bottom line: you need to be realistic about how much time and effort it will take to write a book. Stop beating yourself up because you haven’t written a masterpiece during your lunch break. 💜⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#2020reads #booksarebetter #lovethisbook #readingtherapy #bookwormsofinstagram #instareaders #bookworld #bookpost #idratherbereading #booksbooksbooks #readerlife #readerforlife #bookishaesthetic #bookblogging #bookstagramfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookpic #bookishgirl #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #bookbloggershub #bookthoughts #readingisfundamental #bookcrazy #bookaddiction #bookaddicts #avidreader

What’s your favourite sport to watch? 🎾⚽⛸

What’s your favourite sport to watch? 🎾⚽⛸️⠀
.⠀
Mine is gymnastics! 🤸 Well, it’s a dead heat between gymnastics and figure skating. Don’t make me choose.⠀
.⠀
I’m so glad more gymnastics-centric books are making it out into the world, like Jennifer Iacopelli’s #BreakTheFall. Even if we don’t have the Olympics this year (sniff, sniff), we still have books!⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#jenniferiacopelli #yareads #yareader #amreadingya #yanovels #yanovel #yafiction #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #booklife #currentlyreading #amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookphotography #bookaddict #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookgeek #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookaholic #bookcommunity #bookworm #ilovebooks #lovebooks

I mean, it's not bad, for a bridge.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .

I mean, it's not bad, for a bridge.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#discoverunder500 #bristolbloggers #bristolwriters #bristoligers #bristollife #igersbristol #bristoluk #bristol247 #bristol_lens #bristolblog #bristolblogging #lovebristol #alwaysbristol #visitbristol #ukblog #ukblogger #ukbloggers #photooftheday #bloggersofinstagram #bloglife #bloggerstribe #bloggerslife #blogginglife #bloggincommunity #savvyblogging #instablogging #bloggerlove #bloggersunder500 #bloggersunder1k

Starting a new series of posts today, where I shar

Starting a new series of posts today, where I share things I learned while writing my debut psychological thriller, #DeadRinger. 😊 Here it is:⠀
.⠀
Writing Tips I Learned #WhileWritingDeadRinger⠀
.⠀
💎 Joining a writing group will save your soul⠀
.⠀
When I look back and try to identify the ONE thing that took me from slush pile to publication, it’s joining a writing group. Specifically, a workshop critique group.⠀
.⠀
This was a big, scary step for me, because (like most writers) I haaate having my writing critiqued. At the time, it felt like someone was ripping my heart from my chest. 😬⠀
.⠀
Hell, I still get that heart-ripping feeling.⠀
.⠀
By joining a writing group, however, I learned that the good parts of critique far outweigh the bad parts. Yes, your workshop partners will point out what’s not working about your novel. But they’ll also tell you how to fix what feels unfixable about your story.⠀
.⠀
It’s nothing short of miraculous. 😁⠀
.⠀
Plus, being part of a community of writers is so important – for when your novel gets rejected, or for when you feel like giving up. It’s not hyperbolic to say that I would have quit on #DeadRinger if it weren’t for my writing group.⠀
.⠀
I really recommend other writers find a good workshop group, via Meetup, a Google search, or by attending local writers’ events (many of these have gone online during the pandemic.)⠀
.⠀
Writing may be solitary, but you don’t have to go it alone.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#writinganovel #writingprocess #writingtips #writinginspiration #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #psychologicalthrillers #thrillerfiction #thrillersofinstagram #thrilleraddict #thrillerbooksaddict #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #writersofinsta #writerslife #writinglife #whattoreadnext #nosuchthingastoomanybooks #readallthebooks #booksaremagic #bibliofeature #readersgonnaread #allthebooks

Which book do you re-read most often? 📚⠀ .⠀

Which book do you re-read most often? 📚⠀
.⠀
I re-read Donna Tartt's The Secret History at least once a year. It has everything I want in a story: great characters, intrigue, artful writing (and murderrrr, of course).⠀
.⠀
Sometimes I'll see people on #bookstagram posting pictures of their copy of this edition of The Secret History and I do a double take. Their copies are so pristine! Mine looks like the dog has chewed it. 🐶⠀
.⠀
(I don't have a dog. This is what it looks like when you really, really love a book. 🤣)⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#donnatartt #thesecrethistory #bookstagramuk #ukbookstagram #favouritebooks #favoritebooks #singlebookshare #crimefiction #crimenovel #amreadingthrillers #psychologicalthrillers #psychologicalthriller #thrillerfiction #thrillersofinstagram #thrilleraddict #thrillerbooksaddict #booksbooksbooks #readerlife #readerforlife #bookishaesthetic #bookblogging #bookstagramfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookpic #bookishgirl #booksbooksbooks #readerlife #readerforlife #bookishaesthetic

How do you get your news? TV? Online? Newspapers?

How do you get your news? TV? Online? Newspapers? Social media? 📰⠀
.⠀
For me, it’s online newspapers. I rarely watch TV news or shows like BBC Newsnight. Regardless, I stormed through Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News by @officiallymaitlis. A brisk and breezy listen on audio. Recommended. 💙⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#airhead #emilymaitlis #audiobook #audiobooks #audiobookstagram #audiobooklover #audiobooklove #audiobooksrock #audiobookreview #audiobookworm #nonfiction #nonfictionbooks #creativebookphotography #booklife #bookstagramuk #bookstagram #currentlyreading #amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookphotography #bookaddict #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecommendations #whatiread #beautifulbooks #prettybooks #readergram #instabooks #igreads

I’ll be reading from #DeadRinger at Virtual Noir

I’ll be reading from #DeadRinger at Virtual Noir at the Bar on Wednesday 20 May, 7:30pm. 😎⠀
.⠀
If you fancy hearing from an awesome line-up of crime writers, for free, from the comfort of your own home, check it out. The link to register to receive the Zoom details is in my bio.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #crimewriter #crimefiction #crimenovel #writersofinsta #writerslife #writinglife #authorsofig #authorsofinsta #igwriter #writersofig #writingcommunityofig #writingislove #writingislife #writergram #booklife #bookstagramuk #bookstagram#bookaddict #booksofinstagram #booklover #bibliophile #bookaholic #bookcommunity #bookworm

Birthday present #bookstack 🥳⠀ .⠀ I asked f

Birthday present #bookstack 🥳⠀
.⠀
I asked for 5 out of 6 of these, because there’s enough uncertainty in the world. 🤣 My interests include murder, sharks, and terrible rich people.⠀
.⠀
Shoutout to @agent.banaani for the best card! #dragrace⠀
⠀
⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#booklife #bookstagramuk #bookstagram #currentlyreading #amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookphotography #bookaddict #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookgeek #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookaholic #bookcommunity #bookworm #ilovebooks #lovebooks #instabooks #igreads #lovereading #thereaderslounge #bookobsessed #readingstyles #alwaysreading

It’s my birthday and I’ll wear a weather-inapp

It’s my birthday and I’ll wear a weather-inappropriate sundress if I want to. 🥳⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#lockdownbirthday #discoverunder500 #photooftheday #bookstagrammer #bristolbloggers #bristolwriters #bristoluk #bristoligers #lovebristol #alwaysbristol #bristollife #igersbristol #southville #bristol_lens #bristolblog #bristolblogging #ukblog #ukblogger #ukbloggers #debutauthor #debutauthor2020 #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram

Used my daily walk to stop by and see the updated

Used my daily walk to stop by and see the updated Banksy.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#banksy #streetart #bristolbloggers #bristolwriters #bristoluk #bristoligers #lovebristol #alwaysbristol #bristol247 #bristollife #igersbristol #southville #bristol_lens #bristolblog #bristolblogging #ukblog #visitbristol #ukblogger #ukbloggers #debutauthor #debutauthor2020 #discoverunder500 #photooftheday

It’s 2 months today since #DeadRinger was publis

It’s 2 months today since #DeadRinger was published! 🎊⠀
.⠀
Okay, okay, due to our current timeline, it feels like two years, but I swear, it’s only been two months. 👵⠀
.⠀
I’ve been overwhelmed by all the kind comments from those who’ve read the book. 💛🖤💛 And, if you’re late to the party, don’t forget you can still get the ebook for only £2.99. Link’s in the bio. 😉⠀
.⠀
If you’d prefer the paperback, @sarabandbooks are selling it direct, or check Hive.co.uk to get it from an independent book shop.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#booklife #bookstagramuk #bookstagram #currentlyreading #amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookphotography #bookaddict #debutauthor #debutauthor2020 #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #crimewriter #crimefiction #crimenovel #booksofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookgeek #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookaholic #bookcommunity #bookworm #lovebooks

My short story, SWERVE, is in today's @smagazineuk

My short story, SWERVE, is in today's @smagazineuk / @dailyexpress 💃⠀
.⠀
Letting out my darker instincts with a disturbing lil story about road rage. 🚘😅⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#dailyexpress #sundaypress #smagazine #nicolamartin ##bristolbloggers #bristolwriters #bristoligers #bristollife #igersbristol #bristolblog #bristolblogging #debutauthor #debutauthor2020 #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #crimewriter #crimefiction #writersofinsta #amwriting #writerslife #writinglife #authorsofig #authorsofinsta #igwriter #writersofig #writingcommunityofig #writingislife #writergram

Nature, innit. 💜🌿⠀ .⠀ (Obligatory discla

Nature, innit. 💜🌿⠀
.⠀
(Obligatory disclaimer: I walked through the park during my one allotted walk per day, while being my best socially-distanced ninja self. I did not linger. I did not collect $200. I am now home again and about to watch Westworld because tbh I love the indoors. 😇)⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#bristolbloggers #bristolwriters #bristoluk #bristoligers #lovebristol #alwaysbristol #bristol247 #bristollife #igersbristol #southville #bristol_lens #bristolblog #bristolblogging #ukblog #visitbristol #ukblogger #ukbloggers #debutauthor #debutauthor2020 #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #writersofinsta #amwriting #writerslife #writinglife #authorsofig #authorsofinsta

Looking for something to do at the weekend? I'm ta

Looking for something to do at the weekend? I'm taking part in an online literary festival (live on Zoom) called Stay At Home Fest. Lots of big names, like Louise Welsh and CL Taylor.⠀
.⠀
My session ("Writing your crime debut and getting it published") is on Saturday 28 March at 6pm. No registration necessary, just hop on the free Zoom call at 6pm.⠀
.⠀
Link in bio.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#booklife #bookstagramuk #bookstagram #bristolbloggers #bristolwriters #bristoluk #bristoligers #lovebristol #alwaysbristol #bristolblogging #ukblog #ukblogger #ukbloggers #debutauthor #debutauthor2020 #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #writing #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #crimewriter #crimefiction #crimenovel #writersofinsta #amwriting #writerslife #writinglife #authorsofig #authorsofinsta #igwriter

#Repost @borrowbox⠀ .⠀ Go snag a copy of the #

#Repost @borrowbox⠀
.⠀
Go snag a copy of the #DeadRinger audiobook from your local library via the BorrowBox app. 🎧📗⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#audiobook #audiobooks #audiobookstagram #audiobooklover #audiobooklove #audiobooksrock #audiobookreview #audiobookworm #crimewriter #crimefiction #crimenovel #booklife #bookstagramuk #bookstagram #currentlyreading #amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookphotography #bookaddict #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #booknerdigans #bookgeek #booklove #booklover #bibliophile #bookaholic

Load More… Follow on Instagram