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Category Archives: General
Short Story Finalist
To celebrate the little pluses that come our way is an important part of writing. I’m not much of a short story writer. I spend most of my time grappling with the beast that is the novel. But, occasionally, I … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged finalist, London Independent Story Prize, short story, writing competitions
4 Comments
A New Venture
For the past few years, while I’ve been busy writing, I’ve also been reading and giving feedback on manuscripts by other writers. I’ve worked on manuscripts written by established, illustrious authors and on others by writers just starting out. It’s … Continue reading
Posted in Editing, General
Tagged critical eye, critique service, editor, feedback, manuscript assessment
2 Comments
My failed career
I recently applied for a Saturday job at a local branch of a well known bookshop. Obviously, I love bookshops and when I saw the ad in the window I was drawn to the idea of finding out what it … Continue reading
New Year’s Thoughts
I haven’t blogged in a long time, mostly because I haven’t had any significant writing news. That’s not to say I haven’t been writing. I am now busy editing my second novel. I think that’s going ok, but what do … Continue reading
Writer versus Reader
In a recent discussion with a group of friends about a novel we’d all read – a contemporary thriller which they loved and I didn’t – I was told I was approaching it too much as a writer, instead of … Continue reading
The Magic of Iceland
Following on from my previous blog, the question many friends have been asking me since my return is, how was Iceland? As in Iceland, the place, not the writing retreat. I feel somewhat unqualified to answer. Firstly, I spent very … Continue reading
The Writer’s Chair
I have recently returned from a writers’ retreat which involved, amongst other delights, two full days of writing workshops with an impressive line up of authors. The biggest draw for me was the author, Miriam Toews, whose book, All My … Continue reading
A Few of my Favourites
There are a lot of blogs coming out now comprising ‘best of’ reading lists for 2015. For want of anything better to write, I’m going to join in. Why anyone would care about what I’ve read this year, I don’t … Continue reading
Writing for No-one
Writers are often told they should keep a journal. I imagine a writer’s journal to be something erudite and practical: the exposition of process, working through problems and strategies, accruing material and ideas. I’ve never written a journal like this. … Continue reading
A Writer’s Escape
For the past couple of summers I have taken myself off to the wonderful Retreats for You for some dedicated writing time. Here I was given a room, a writing desk, good food, drink and company. This year, however, I … Continue reading
