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Categories
Category Archives: On Writing
Write What You Read
As I start to think about my next novel and what kind of book it might be, I remember the advice meted out by a lecturer on my MA. She recommended trying to write, not the kind of book you … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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Pass the Port
To be a writer you’re supposed to write every day. I try to adhere to this, although I don’t crucify myself over it. During the mayhem of Christmas and the New Year, I tend to put aside my ongoing projects … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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Shhh!
I have the seed of an idea for my next novel. Don’t tell anyone, Claudia. Keep it a secret. Don’t say what it’s about. Don’t say what kind of novel it is. Don’t say ANYTHING. Tentatively, I’ve begun to write … Continue reading
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Where do you get your inspiration from?
It’s such a common question for writers to ask and be asked. Now that I’m contemplating writing another novel, I’m asking it myself. Many people, when they find out I write, say, ‘Oh, I’ve got so many amazing ideas for … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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When Is A Thriller Not A Thriller?
At a writers’ conference recently I availed myself of the opportunity to get some feedback on my novel from a professional, published author. I had to submit in advance the first five pages, along with a synopsis, and was then … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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Do You Have To Be A Selfish Bastard To Be A Writer?
A few years ago I went on a residential writing course. Whilst there, we were visited by a well known and rather brilliant writer, who went on that year to win the Booker Prize. He read to us an extract … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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My Top Ten Distractions From Writing
Every writer has them. Yes, they do. Every writer spends a whole load of time moaning about how there isn’t enough time to write and then, when faced with all the time and opportunity in the world, when all the … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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Should You Read And Write?
Recently, when I reached a sticky point in my writing, when I was really struggling, I noticed that I had stopped reading. Normally I have one reading book on the go and another audiobook which I listen to as I … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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To Live or to Write? That is the Question
I haven’t blogged in a while because I haven’t known how to blog about writing when the writing wasn’t going so well. The last thing I wanted was to drone on about how hard writing is, or to elevate my … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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Guess The Story
Last July, in my post No Time To Blog, I put up some photos that related to my work in progress. Now that I have finished the first draft and roughly completed the story, I thought I might post a … Continue reading
Posted in On Writing
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