Hi folks! So Million Eyes II: The Unraveller has been out a week and I just wanted to share how publication day went for me. I remember reading an article by Kristen Kieffer, author of Build Your Best Writing Life, about her own publication day. How it felt like any other day: after writing some… Continue reading My publication day reflections
Category: Writing Advice
Million Eyes II: The Unraveller to be released in July!
I had planned today to share a few quick updates on where I am with the Million Eyes series, not expecting my publisher, Elsewhen Press, to email me this morning with their release schedule for Million Eyes II: The Unraveller! So I can now officially reveal that the book will be published in July as… Continue reading Million Eyes II: The Unraveller to be released in July!
Writing time travel
Are you writing a time travel novel? What's your mode of time travel and what are your rules? A couple of weeks ago, Nothing in the Rulebook published a guest post I wrote with tips for authors daring to enter this fascinating yet sometimes dangerous realm. Basically, please ignore the disappearing rule. Read it here.… Continue reading Writing time travel
Top 5 cures for writer’s block + story updates
Last month I talked about the different ways I usually deal with writers’ block. Now comes the sequel article I promised, looking at some of the weirdest/funniest/most unique cures that other writers use. First things first. Some updates on Million Eyes and the Million Eyes Short Stories. Also, I’m working on something new... Million Eyes… Continue reading Top 5 cures for writer’s block + story updates
How I deal with writer’s block + “Million Eyes” updates
Wikipedia calls writer’s block a “condition” and an “affliction” and the Wiki gods are absolutely right. Writer's block is an illness that only writers suffer from. To recover from an illness, you either need to ride it out or combat it with various treatments and remedies. It’s a perfectly curable illness, but some writers are… Continue reading How I deal with writer’s block + “Million Eyes” updates
No rules please. We’re fiction writers.
So I came across an article in the Guardian recently called Elmore Leonard's rules for writers and saw red. (Okay, a bit of an exaggeration given all the things currently happening in the world I could get angry about. Let’s say I saw carnation pink.) Anyway, I felt compelled to write an anarchic response for writers… Continue reading No rules please. We’re fiction writers.
“Million Eyes” updates and a review of South House Retreat in Dorset
Evening all! I have come up for air following two weeks of total immersion in the final edit of my forthcoming conspiracy novel, Million Eyes. In this week’s blog, I’ll share where I’m at with everything and talk about my time at South House Retreat near Dorchester, Dorset. Million Eyes — a deadline By the… Continue reading “Million Eyes” updates and a review of South House Retreat in Dorset
How I plan a story + story updates
Greetings readers! Today I come bearing a handful of Million Eyes updates, and a bit of insight into how I plan and develop stories. Million Eyes Work on the first novel in The Million Eyes Trilogy continues, and the end is nigh. I’m currently rewriting the very last chapter of the novel, and I’m in… Continue reading How I plan a story + story updates
Commercial fiction vs literary fiction + story updates
Good evening Earth. This week I’m talking about a popular conspiracy theory that President-elect Trump was assassinated by a coalition of Western governments before he could destroy Mexico’s economy, give guns to toddlers, and nuke the Middle East. Wait—what? There’s no such conspiracy theory, you say? President-elect Trump hasn’t been assassinated? Ah, okay. Sorry, must’ve… Continue reading Commercial fiction vs literary fiction + story updates
“Show, don’t tell” advice for writers + story updates
Good evening readers! Tonight I bring a round-up of Million Eyes updates and some advice on a literary rule that’s habitually banged on about by editors, agents and publishers: “show, don’t tell”. Million Eyes and Hodderscape No, no, it’s nothing exciting like a book deal from a publisher (I wish). However, it’s a mini endorsement… Continue reading “Show, don’t tell” advice for writers + story updates
How to write flashbacks in fiction + story updates
Hello hello! Welcome, on this stifingly hot and sticky September day, to my monthly round-up of news, including the latest on Million Eyes and the Million Eyes Short Stories. And this month I also come bearing tips for writing flashback sequences in fiction—not as easy as it sounds! I’m being interviewed on Spaced Out Radio! Last month I was contacted… Continue reading How to write flashbacks in fiction + story updates
Writers who try to write masterpieces + story updates
Evening all! So I’m totally going to steal Alan Carr’s catchphrase: What a week it’s been! I climbed the O2 in London on Tuesday night and got to see the sun setting behind Canary Wharf. Yesterday I did mountain biking, high rope obstacles in the trees, climbing, canoeing, assault courses and a bit of free-falling… Continue reading Writers who try to write masterpieces + story updates