5 things I did to make my self-published book brilliant
Reblogged from ALISON WELLS: Head Above Water: The first thing I want to do is write. It’s essential, it’s non-negotiable. The next thing I want to do is share my writing with others. And that’s what...
View ArticleFlashbacks – when to, or if to! – The Vanishing Act. Part 1
I have just read The Vanishing Act, by Mette Jakobsen. Shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize 2012, I was enchanted by this weird and wonderful tale of grief, childhood and the beauty of people,...
View ArticleSketching Your Characters – The Vanishing Act. Part 2
Welcome to the second in a two-part mega series, where I share what I learned from The Vanishing Act, by Mette Jakobsen. If you haven’t already, why not check out Part 1 – Flashbacks. When to, or if to...
View ArticleHow DJing made me a Better Writer
As a secret fan of electronic music, I love creating a good old DJ set… ...in fact, I enjoyed making my latest mix so much, I spent all my free time putting it together. From the moment the idea came...
View ArticleA Story in Just 15 Minutes
If you read my post 6 Reasons to Join a Writing Group, you will know I love and fear 15 minute writing exercises. They are scary but force you to come up with new ideas and roll with it, no matter the...
View ArticleBring your characters to life – A lesson in the art of character
This article will show you how the little details, placed at the right moments in your story, can bring your characters to life… Not that it went to sleep, but my love of reading has been re-awoken...
View ArticleIt’s good to (belly) laugh
All good belly laughs must come to an end, for we must return to our world before anyone knew we went away. And we will always feel a little deflated afterwards, because our world doesn’t quite feel...
View ArticleNew Story: Reunion of the Class of Quackety-Nine
The last two months have been really exciting, having embarked on my other ambition – to become a primary school teacher! And after reading a chapter in The Magic Weaving Business, by Sir John Jones,...
View ArticleA Love Poem for Autumn
Inspired by a painting… I wonder what it would have been like, to have been me. But not this old me on this old armchair with these old hands. No. The me in the water. The me with colour. The me whose...
View ArticleThe Park Bench – A Fable
There’s no denying learning to be a teacher has somewhat squished my writing energies, so I am seizing the half term by the throat by writing this story. Here is the first in what I envisage will...
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