When I was a teenager, I steadfastly refused to believe that so-called ‘classical literature’ could be better than the assortment I chose from the local… Read More »Wuthering Heights – the novel that has influenced me the most
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!
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
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 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
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
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
I’ve written as a Jesuit priest in Outer Mongolia, a nine-year-old in inner city Bristol, a child abductor, an angry teenager, a man in his… Read More »Diversity in Fiction
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
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
Six weeks to go until My Mother’s Secret comes out! For an author waiting to see how her book will be received, this is a… Read More »My Mother’s Secret – What other writers are saying
Happy Mother’s Day! This blog is dedicated to those very special women in our lives, without whom, we would not exist. My first thriller, Bone… Read More »Mothers & Daughters II
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?
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?
‘Shall I tell you the story of you?’ I say, hugging my knees to my chest and wishing my daughter would let me cuddle her.… Read More »How adoption can be a force for good
I think about the story I always tell her – of the kind lady who gave her to us. I suppose that must be how… Read More »Adoption Stories
I’m heading up to Granite noir, a crime fiction festival in Aberdeen in one month. I’m going to be talking about children caught up in… Read More »Children in Crime Fiction
I’m delighted to welcome fellow Corvus Books author, Holly Seddon, to my website for a Q&A with me. She’s the author of Try not to… Read More »The Stolen Child – Sanjida Kay & Holly Seddon in conversation