If you are anything like me, and tend to start plenty of first drafts, you have been on the brink of starting a first chapter. But maybe this is your first time writing a book. All of us can agree that preparing to write the first chapter is something that can change our story. I…
Dearest, I awoke this morning to the sound of awful starlings out my window. They have built a nest above the pane, and I have not succeeded in convincing Henry the stable hand to remove it yet. It was to be my mission of the day. My bed is always perfectly warm in the mornings,…
Being a pantser myself, plotting books is something that tends to be a rather brief affair. But that doesn’t mean the plotting stage is for nothing. I know that you may be thinking “if she is a pantser, why is she plotting at all?”. But although I don’t call myself a plotter, there is always…
New book ideas are such fun. They always make me realize why I love writing so much, and what this journey is all about. Writing can start to feel like labour, simply a number of words we have to get down, or a goal we need to reach by the end of the month. New…
I suppose I should start by telling you a little secret: I am bit of a helpless romantic. Ever since being very young, I’ve been dreaming of gallant farmers (I know, random) and dramatic plots. I’ve learnt to harness this trait now, and it now serves me in my writing, not dragging me into long…
I have never plotted my books ever since the beginning. From being a child, writing little stories down on paper, to now – nothing has driven me on like not knowing what will happen next in my story. I want to tell you the top ten things I love about NOT plotting my books. But…
Really, this is the question that plagues all us writers. Why does our book even matter? Why should we write it? Is all the planning, writing, revising, editing, learning, publishing ordeals even worth it? Writing a book is such a lot of hard work, and not something that is to be underestimated. I think those…
Maybe you want to write a song, but not just any song – an indie song. Indie music is full of raw descriptions, relatable content, and often very unique melody and music. If this is what you want to write, you are in the right place. If you have never written a song before, you…
I am a lover of romantic things – but more the Pride and Prejudice type of romantic than Hollywood romantic. I do think there’s a difference! What is it about Pride and Prejudice, A Room With a View, and Far From the Madding Crowd that draws us in and has us savoring every tiny exchange…
I am part way through editing my novel Swimming with Lupins. It has been a whole new journey of learning and having patience with the process. This being the first of my books I’ve edited, everything is new and confusing. But I think I’ve cracked the start of this thing, and am here to tell…