The Writer as an Outsider
‘As writers, we are all anthropologists, observing the natives and commenting on their customs. As writers, we can tap into that feeling of being an… Read More »The Writer as an Outsider
Writing tips
The best writing advice I ever received
The thing about being a writer and not having a ‘proper’ job is that we don’t have IT support, coffee breaks, water-cooler chats and personal… Read More »The best writing advice I ever received
How to create the perfect villain!
Today I ran a lesson about villains for homeschool with my nine-year-old daughter. She loved it and created a supreme baddie: Galactica, Queen of the… Read More »How to create the perfect villain!
Blueprint for a house…and a story
In May 2017 we bought a house in Somerset. It was originally built in the 1950s and for almost two years we’ve been renovating it.… Read More »Blueprint for a house…and a story
Letter to my younger self
What would you tell yourself if you could? The Royal Literary Fund recently gave me the opportunity to write and record a letter to my… Read More »Letter to my younger self
My writing talisman
My writing talisman is a beautiful painting by artist, Elaine Jones. It’s of Cornwall – have a look to see why I love it so… Read More »My writing talisman
How I write
The Royal Literary Fund has recorded a mini -podcast with me on how I write – with a black coffee, and some dark chocolate and… Read More »How I write
How to write a thriller
In a few days time I’m heading to Ted Hughes’ old house, Lumb Bank, in Hebden Bridge, to teach an Arvon Foundation course on how… Read More »How to write a thriller
Becoming a coach
I’ve just returned to working for charity, First Story, this month. First Story’s aim is to change young people’s lives through writing, particularly those… Read More »Becoming a coach
My Writing Toolkit
Book blogger and health journalist, Victoria Goldman, asked me to tell her what my essential writing toolkit is for her blog, Off-the-Shelf Books. Here goes: Office… Read More »My Writing Toolkit
In a thriller, nowhere is safe…
This is a blog post I wrote on the importance of setting for The Asian Writer, and I thought would be most appropriate as I’ve… Read More »In a thriller, nowhere is safe…
How to tell a good plot
My seven-year-old daughter is teaching me how to plot. She’s drawn a story mountain for me, which shows the start, build up, climax, solution and… Read More »How to tell a good plot
The octopus and the pirates
I’m giving a talk on plot at Novel Nights on Wednesday 23 Many. This is a wonderful monthly event, organised by writer, Grace Palmer, in… Read More »The octopus and the pirates
Hiking for writing II
Happy Earth Day! Today, we’re celebrating our extraordinary planet, and trying to end plastic pollution. In a month I’ll be heading to one of my… Read More »Hiking for writing II
First Lines
Did you know that many publishers won’t read past the first few lines of your manuscript? Harsh but true. Agents may read a page or… Read More »First Lines
How do I write?
Well, I start the day with a large black coffee and some dark chocolate! Writing a novel feels like being an ultra marathon runner. It’s… Read More »How do I write?
Why do I write?
The short answer, is because I have to! I’d write if I was shut in an attic at the top of a dark castle – … Read More »Why do I write?
Five writing tips from four literary events
I’ve just come back from being on panels at three literary festivals and talking to authors published by Silverwood Books. It’s been a bit of… Read More »Five writing tips from four literary events
Blurred lines: Separating fact from fiction
BLURRED LINES: SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION I’m delighted to be featured in Writer’s Aloud, the Royal Literary Fund‘s podcast. This week I’m talking about the… Read More »Blurred lines: Separating fact from fiction
Writing Short Stories
I recently judged the Bristol Short Story Prize for the second year running. This year there were 2,420 entries from all over the world. My fellow judges – agent, Rowan Lawton, radio producer, Sara Davies and writer, Nikesh Shukla – and I read forty stories and chose the twenty that will feature in the next anthology as well as the winner, second and third place.
And today the short list of those twenty stories we chose has been announced!Read More »Writing Short Stories