Meet Kate Mitchell from ‘Unborn’
Kate Mitchell has the perfect life… which is about to be thrown into turmoil in the opening chapter of ‘Unborn’.
Writing
Is it possible to be scared of writing a book?
When you write dystopian fiction, starting on a new project can be unnerving.
When a MacGuffin Becomes Your Favourite Character
Ruth Dyer started life as a MacGuffin, then became my favourite character. Here’s why.
Summer is Made for Writing: Yes or No?
Every summer I start the season with ambitious writing goals. But meeting them isn’t always easy.
The Ups and Downs of Winning Writing Competitions
Winning a writing competition meant it was my job to judge the entries next time round – how did I get on?
Finding the Perfect Place to Write
I’ve been using data to identify the best place and time to write. The results were surprising…
What Effect is Brexit Having on Fiction?
Brexit. Love it or hate it, if you’re in the UK like me, you just can’t avoid it. I’ve managed to avoid writing about it in this blog (and in my books, more of which shortly) so far, but today I’m getting that one post out of my system and will forever be silent (it’s […]
Why I Love Editing
Some writers love first drafts, some love editing. Here’s why I love editing.
How Does a Self-sufficient Community Make Easter Eggs?
Thicker Than Water and its sequels take place six years after devastating floods have ravaged England and ruined the country’s infrastructure. The characters in the books are self-sufficient. In the village, they have goats for milk, allotments for vegetables, and a smoke house for fish. They bake their own bread and raise animals for meat. […]
The Debut Novel: The Beginning of an Author’s Career, or The End?
How debut novels can make or break an author’s career – and why I’m glad that didn’t apply to mine.