All writers struggle at some point with their first full-length manuscript. But the right spark, whether a book, a mentor, a writers’ conference or a combination of all three, can set us back on track. A few weeks ago I
Seeds from Chaos
Posting on my blog has become intermittent because I’m deeply immersed in my current writing project, emerging into consciousness long enough only to put out the rubbish and occasionally grab something to eat – a benevolent pixie seems to protect
10 Reasons to Write Your Nonfiction Book
My first ambitious attempt at nonfiction emerged when, as a stranded 11-year-old, I lived temporarily with my aged Manx grandmother, a good Christian woman of wide girth and narrow attitudes. Confined to quiet pursuits one Sunday afternoon, and armed
Thesaurus: a species of dinosaur?
Be not afraid. I’m not about to bring in a Tyrannosaurus rex, a Brachiosaurus, or even a Brontësaurus, but a book of words. Not necessarily harmless – words can savage – but perfectly safe and rewarding for a writer to
Tips for Creative Travel Writing: Part 2
In Part 1 I shared some fiction writing techniques – hook, character, point of view, back-story and flashback – to enrich travel writing without being tempted to ‘make it up’. Here are five more: Imagery Bring alive an historic site